Wärtsilä, MAN Diesel Hercules-Beta Project
The Hercules-Beta research project proposal was recently approved by the European Commission. HERCULES-Beta represents a major international cooperative effort to maximise fuel efficiency combined with ultra-low emissions and to develop future generations of optimally efficient and clean marine diesel engines. As such, HERCULES-Beta aims to surpass the current limits set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to radically improve the environmental performance of waterborne transport. HERCULES-Beta began on 1 September 2008 with a budget of $33.6m and it is planned to run for 36 months. The project consortium has 32 participants, including engine-component suppliers, equipment manufacturers, universities, research institutions and shipping companies from 10 European countries.
Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel Propose Cooperative Research Project
MAN Diesel and Wärtsilä Corporation have agreed to propose a large scale Cooperative Research Project - Hercules-B. The target is to maximize fuel efficiency in parallel to emissions reduction. The principal aim in Hercules-B is to improve efficiency of marine diesel propulsion systems to level of more than 60%, hence to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions substantially. An additional concurrent aim is towards ultra low exhaust emissions from marine engines by the year 2015. Today diesel propulsion systems power 99% of the world fleet. The Hercules-B is a large innovative research and development project aiming for technological breakthrough in the reduction of fuel consumption and emissions for the next generation marine diesel engines onboard ships…
UTT to Get Kongsberg Simulators
The University of Trinidad and Tobago(UTT) has issued a contract to Kongsberg Maritime for the delivery of a Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator and a Full Mission Engine Room Simulator configured to DNV Class A standards. In addition to the Full Mission Ship Handling Simulator, the delivery will include three secondary interactive tug bridges for certification of Mariners in accordance with competency requirements established by the International Maritime Organization(IMO). These bridges will utilize the latest ARPA Radars, IMO Type Approved Electronic Chart Display Information Systems (ECDIS), and Automated Identification System (AIS) training.
Cummins and Mercury Marine to Form Joint Venture
Cummins Marine, a division of Cummins Inc., and Mercury Marine, a division of Brunswick Corporation, announced the formation of a 50/50 joint venture to supply integrated diesel propulsion systems to the worldwide recreational and commercial marine markets. The joint venture, Cummins MerCruiser Diesel Marine LLC, will be headquartered in Charleston, S.C. Under the terms of the agreement, Cummins will supply diesel engines 15 liters and below, including certain electronic displays and other hardware. Mercury Marine will supply the Mercury 1.7 liter, 2.8 liter, 4.2 liter and 7.3 liter diesel engines, drive units for sterndrive applications and their SmartCraft(R) electronic integration hardware. units.
