Wärtsilä, MAN Diesel & Turbo and Winterthur Gas & Diesel to Lead Project for Ship Engine Efficiency

The Hercules-2 project aims to improve ship efficiency through the development of basic technologies for large ships with 2-stroke and 4-stroke marine engines.

Wärtsilä Corporation Monday announced that it is collaborating with MAN Diesel & Turbo and Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd (Winterthur Gas & Diesel) to lead an effort to support environmentally sustainable and more efficient shipping through the development of basic technologies for large ships with 2-stroke and 4-stroke marine engines.

The three-year project, known as Hercules-2, is said to be in accordance with general EU policy, and has received partial funding from the EU. 

The project's research and development efforts will focus on four areas, including the use of alternative fuels and fuel flexibility to encourage seamless fuel switching, the development of new materials in support of high-temperature component applications, the development of adaptive control methodologies to optimise engine performance during its life span, and combined, integrated, after-treatment of exhaust gases to achieve near-zero emissions.

Coordinated by NTU Athens, the project will involve 32 marine industry partners from 11 companies, 16 universities, and five research organisations.

"The greatest of the many benefits stemming from Hercules-2 will be the development of new technologies that have a positive impact on our customers' profitability," said Ilari Kallio, Vice President, R&D - Engines for Wärtsilä.

"Another is the significant contribution this project will make to more environmentally sustainable shipping,"

Søren H. Jensen, Vice President and Head of R&D at MAN Diesel & Turbo commenting on the project, said, "Hercules-2 is a strong platform that will create a basis for the development of technologies applicable to ship engines in four to five years time."

"We have, therefore, positive expectations and look forward to collaborating with so many cross-industry partners."

Rien Hoogerbrugge, Vice President R&D for Winterthur Gas & Diesel's, said the project was a good opportunity to bring together knowledge from various fields for the development of robust engine technologies.

"We are pleased to be part of the Hercules consortium and we are looking forward to jointly developing environmentally friendly products for a sustainable future of merchant shipping," said Hoogerbrugge.

In June, it was announced that Wärtsilä broke the Guinness World Record for efficiency in a 4-stroke diesel engine.