Engine Products News

As maritime faces transcendent changes in terms of decarbonization and automation, Juha Kytölä, Director of R&D and Engineering, Wärtsilä, discusses how this Finnish maritime technology powerhouse is investing in the technologies and facilities that will drive the maritime industry for the coming generation, including insights on its unique arrangement for a future fuel engine testbed onboard Wasaline’s MS Aurora Botnia.To start off, can you give a scope of the Wärtsilä R&D investment?We invest heavily in research and development, about 4.1% of our annual turnover.

Caterpillar Marine recently signed a contract to supply its solutions for the next generation of Brusco Tug and Barge’s new tugs. The first tug was delivered in December 2019, and the second vessel will soon be under construction at Diversified Marine Inc. (DMI), in Portland, Ore., featuring a bollard pull of 84 short tons and complete system integration by Caterpillar Marine.Caterpillar Marine’s West Coast territory sales manager Enrique Aponte said, “This vessel will change the escort tug market…

Motor-Services Hugo Stamp, Inc. (MSHS) a provider of diesel engine products and services, has entered into a definitive acquisition agreement with TurboUSA, Inc., a provider of maintenance and repair services for turbochargers. The acquisition became effective on February 20, 2020.Under the acquisition, leadership and staff of TurboUSA, Inc. will join the MSHS team and the TurboUSA brand will be retired.Are Friesecke, President of Motor-Services Hugo Stamp said: “This is an exciting event for MSHS and TurboUSA…

FPT North America announced an exclusive partnership with marine distributor Motor-Services Hugo Stamp, Inc. (MSHS), an FPT distributor partner since 2005. FPT awarded MSHS the North American territory, which includes all of the U.S., Canada and Mexico. As Master FPT Marine Propulsion Distributor for North America, customers will have direct access to FPT products, factory-trained engineers, and customer support from MSHS offices in Florida, Louisiana, Maine and Seattle, as well as a coast-to-coast dealer network. MSHS, founded in 1983 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., specializes in marine diesel engine products and services.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) said it is disappointed with the U.S. Court of Appeals decision released on Tuesday, October 21, 2014 for the D.C. Circuit to dismiss the recreational boating industry’s challenge of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rule regarding misfueling mitigation plans surrounding the sale of E15. The case specifically challenged the EPA’s plans to prevent misfueling including the use of what NMMA believes is a highly inadequate pump warning label amongst other insufficient means. The court held that those bringing the case, including the American Petroleum Institute (API) and the Engine Products Group (EPG) which includes NMMA…

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Following the previous announcement regarding two group presidents’ retirements and new responsibilities for another group president, Caterpillar Inc. today announced related changes at the vice president level, including the retirement of Vice President Steve Gosselin. After more than 35 years of outstanding service with the company, Steve Gosselin, 56, vice president with responsibility for the Customer Services Support Division, has elected to retire. Gosselin’s retirement will be effective February 1, 2015. “Much of Steve’s career has been spent in marketing and product support roles, and in his most recent position, he has provided critical leadership in strengthening and aggressively growing Caterpillar’s aftermarket parts and product support business…

Wärtsilä and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) have signed an agreement to establish a joint venture for manufacturing medium and large bore medium speed diesel and dual-fuel engines. The CSSC Wärtsilä Engine (Shanghai) Co. Ltd factory will be located at Lingang, Shanghai and is expected to have its first engine ready for delivery by the end of 2015. The company will in particular target the growing offshore and LNG markets, as well as the market for very large container vessels. The Wärtsilä share of the joint venture is 49 per cent and the size of Wärtsilä's equity investment is approximately EUR 12 million. The new joint venture company, CSSC Wärtsilä Engine (Shanghai) Co.

The first order for UEC50LSH-Eco low-speed marine diesel engine being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Marine Machinery & Engine Co., Ltd. (MHI-MME), a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., was placed with Kobe Diesel Co., Ltd., a licensee of Mitsubishi UE engine technology located in Hyogo, Japan. The advanced low-fuel-consumption engine will ensure high efficiency even during slow steaming, and will be installed on a 35k chemical tanker being built by Shin Kurushima Dockyard Co., Ltd.

Elmer A. Sperry casts a long shadow over the history of modern naval, nautical and aeronautical technology, one few people know much about, but should, for a man crowned both the “father of modern navigational technology” and “the father of automatic feedback and control systems,” as well as a pioneer of rocket and missile technology. “It is safe to say that no one American has contributed so much to our naval technical progress,” eulogized Charles Francis Adams III, Secretary of the Navy from 1929-1933, on the death of engineering genius Elmer Ambrose Sperry, June 16, 1930, at 69.

Wärtsilä & Yuchai Marine Power Co to establish a 50/50 joint venture for manufacturing medium-speed marine engines in Zhuhai City. The joint venture will serve the increasingly dominant Chinese shipbuilding industry, with the focus being on the assembly and testing of Wärtsilä 20, Wärtsilä 26 and Wärtsilä 32 engines. Operations are planned to start in 2014. The value of Wärtsilä's investment in the joint venture is approximately EUR 17 million. The joint venture is subject to approval by the relevant authorities.

Wärtsilä expands its services capacity in the Netherlands with new, larger premises and a modern training centre. On April 9, Wärtsilä inaugurates a new Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy training centre at Waalwijk in the Netherlands. With this large-scale training establishment, Wärtsilä is able to offer its customers, its own employees and educational institutions, a broad package of technical training programmes. In addition, Wärtsilä inaugurated new and larger services premises in Ijmuiden last week. The Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy at Waalwijk covers an area of 2000 square metres, and contains nine schooling rooms, four conference rooms, and a large workshop. The new centre is one of ten Wärtsilä training centres worldwide.

Fiat Powertrain Technologies of North America, Inc., (FPT NA), announced an agreement with Costa Mesa-based Boatswain’s Locker for the distribution and service of FPT commercial diesel marine engines and parts in California, Hawaii, and Western Mexico. “We chose to carry the FPT commercial line of diesel marine engines with outputs from 57 to 1300 HP for several reasons,” said Dan Gribble, CEO Boatswain’s Locker. Founded in 1939 in Newport Beach, California, Boatswain’s Locker provides sales and service of marine engine products for both recreational and commercial vessels for over 69 years. Boatswain’s Locker is the distributor for FPT…

Abreu is certified as a Master Marine Mechanic for Mercury outboard and sterndrive engines. He also has experience with diesel engines, transmissions, generators, and a variety of other vessel systems. Founded in 1939 in , Boatswain’s Locker has provided sales and service of marine engine products for both recreational and commercial vessels for over 69 years. Boatswain’s Locker is the distributor for Yanmar Marine Diesel Engines, Kohler Marine Generators, Hamilton Waterjet Propulsion Systems, Velvet Drive Transmissions, ZF Transmissions, as well as commercial marine engines from Mitsubishi, Scania and Iveco for the Southwest U.S., , and Mexico.Boatswain’s Locker is also an Authorized Dealer for MerCruiser inboard and sterndrive marine engines. The new branch is located at Drive, .

John Deere Power Systems has added a new engine rating to its current line of marine engine products - the PowerTech 6068SFM. The engine has an M5 rating with 300 hp (224 kW) at 2,600 rpm and is specially suited for rescue boats, pilot boats and other light-duty applications. This new heat exchanger cooled engine will incorporate a seawater aftercooler, electronically controlled fuel system, cruise-by-wire control, diagnostic messaging and self-protection. The high-torque 6068SFM achieves constant power at a rated speed from 2,600 rpm down to 2,300 rpm; the lower rpm reduces vibration and noise, provides exceptional control and maneuverability and enables the engine to turn larger propellers more efficiently.

GE Transportation Systems, Marine & Stationary Power (M&SP), is making a strong push to capture medium-speed diesel engine business in the maritime sector, fortifying an international network of service centers and bringing its product to center stage at many of the Autumn 2003 trade exhibition. GE Transportation Systems has is the market leader in the locomotive business, with 85 percent of its annual production targeted to this business. While marine business has not accounted for a large percent of its overall business to date, its medium-speed diesel engine capability is considerable. In the rail business, no one looks at the engine for 90 days, whereas in the marine and stationary sectors, the engines are pampered, said Tina Donikowski, General Manager Propulsion & Specialty Services.

In recent months several diesel engine manufacturers have expanded their existing engine and generator ranges to include models suitable for workboat, large yacht and fishing vessel applications. This translates to more propulsion choices for boat builders and owners. Following is a look at four newly launched lines. Last September, MTU introduced the new 8000 series, moving the company into medium-speed engine market. The first engine of the line is the 20V 8000, which is capable of producing 9,000 kW at 1,150 rpm. The 20V is primarily intended to be used as main propulsion for large yachts and workboats, as well as for diesel-electric propulsion and onboard power supply systems in cruise ships.

Stewart & Stevenson, a leading manufacturer, distributor and provider of service for industrial and energy related equipment, and a manufacturer of medium tactical vehicles for the U.S. Army, announced that it has signed agreements with Mercury MerCruiser to create regional power centers. Under the agreements, MerCruiser Diesel Power Centers (DPCs) will serve customers in 26 states within the Pacific Northwest, Southeast and South Central United States and MerCruiser Engine Power Centers (EPCs), which deal with gasoline products, will service 19 states within the South Central United States and the Pacific Northwest. The Stewart & Stevenson MerCruiser DPCs will primarily serve the diesel repower market as well as boat builders…

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division has made available the option of extended service coverage (ESC) for Caterpillar engines and generator sets in the industrial, electric power, petroleum and marine markets. ESC can be purchased from Caterpillar dealers worldwide as of August 1. For the first time, Cat engine owners are able to choose a standardized Caterpillar ESC package that ensures their equipment will be protected by the global network of Cat dealers and technicians. ESC protects Cat owners against failure of covered components beyond expiration of the standard warranty period. Based on their preference and applications, customers can choose ESC coverage periods ranging from 24 to 60 months or from 1,500 to 18,000 operating hours depending on the engine model.

The Delaware River Pilots Association recently contracted with Carey's Diesel to repower a vessel with a pair of Isotta Fraschini marine diesel engines, rated at 550 hp @ 2,400 rpm. This is the third vessel the Pilots Association has chosen to repower using Isotta Fraschini engines. The first Isotta Fraschini repowers were two 56,000-lb. vessels named Wilmington and Delaware. Wilmington's two 8V-72T Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with two V1308T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-8 cylinder marine diesel engines. Delaware's two 8V-92 Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with a pair of V1312T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-12 cylinder marine diesel engines.

The past decade was a tough one for the Canadian shipbuilding market. It was a decade that produced a decline of both employment and decline of newbuilds, many of which were contracted in the late 1980s still awaiting construction. This unfinished business was concentrated mostly on various military projects that had been thought out but were never actually followed through. It is estimated that by the time the 1990's came to a close that Canadian yards had experienced the worst decade since postwar times with total sales declining by about 50 percent since 1991. In addition, total employment in the industry has broken off by about 50 percent from 12,000 workers in 1990 to today's figure of 5,000.

Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc. bought closely held Sabre Engines Ltd., a U.K.-based company that specializes in high-performance marine diesel engines. Terms of the deal were not released. "The benefit to our customers and the marine industry is that boat builders will be able to one-stop-shop a wider horsepower range for Caterpillar marine power systems," Douglas Oberhelman, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for the company's Engine Products Division," said. Caterpillar said it already sells 27 different engine models and sells more marine diesel engines over 250 bhp than any other manufacturer in the world. The addition of Sabre Engines Ltd. will add to Caterpillar's offering of marine power systems below 300 bhp.

Caterpillar Engine Products Division has announced the completion of a new catamaran fast excursion vessel for Yankee Roamer, Inc., Key West, Fla. The 92-ft. boat has a top speed of more than 27 knots. Yankee Freedom II was designed by Phil Hercus of Internation Catamaran Designs-Sydney, Australia. The Incat design uses a single chine Z-Bow hull shape that increases waterline length for improved high-speed performance and seakeeping ability. Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Somerset, Mass. built the all-aluminum vessel and designed the interior and mechanical systems. Gladding-Hearn is Incat's U.S. East Coast licensee and is schedule to launch two more Incat designed ferries this year. Yankee Freedom II is powered by two Cat 3412C marine engines, each rated 1,050 bhp at 2,300 rpm.