Americas News
Wärtsilä Scrubbers and Propulsion Packages Chosen for Algoma's Two Newbuild Bulk Carriers
Wärtsilä Thursday announced that it has signed an agreement with Canada-based Great Lakes operator Algoma Central Corporation (Algoma) to provide two of the company's newbuild "highly efficient" bulk carriers with Wärtsilä propulsion packages and scrubber systems.
"The Equinox Class bulk carriers are the best Great Lakes vessels in their class. They combine high propulsion efficiency and environmental sustainability," said Ken Bloch Soerensen, President and CEO, Algoma.
"The Wärtsilä scrubber system removes more than 97 percent of sulfur oxide emissions, which is extremely important for us."
Wärtsilä says the complete package to by provided for each vessel will include a 5-cylinder Wärtsilä RT-flex 50-D main engine, three 6-cylinder in-line Wärtsilä 20 generating sets, a controllable pitch propeller, transverse thrusters, and closed-loops scrubber systems.
"Repeat orders are the clearest endorsement of customer confidence, and we are extremely proud to be once again selected to provide integrated propulsion and scrubber systems," said Andrej Stopar, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä.
"Wärtsilä's unique capability as a single source supplier ensures an optimised and highly efficient total solution."
The propulsion packages for the vessels are said to be expected for delivery in June 2016 to 3 Maj Shipyard, Uljanik Group in Croatia, where the newbuilds are being constructed.
Wärtsilä further notes that the agreement with Algoma, which was signed in September, also included the option to provide Algoma with similar Wärtsilä packages for three additional newbuilds.
In July, it was reported that Wärtsilä President and CEO Bjorn Rosengren said he believes that many ship operators will choose to use scrubbers to meet a 0.50 percent global sulfur cap for marine fuel when it comes into force in 2020 or 2025.
