EMC Agreement Caps Hjejlen’s 150th Jubilee
MAN Diesel & Turbo returned to its roots recently when it signed an EMC (Engine Management Concept) contract covering one of Denmark’s most famous vessels. The agreement covers the
maintenance and upkeep of the steam engine that has powered the 150-year-old paddle steamer Hjejlen (The Golden Plover) on the Silkeborg Lakes in central Jutland, Denmark since its launch.
The Engine Management Concept is less a contract and more a partnership with much emphasis placed on building a long-term relationship with customers.
Essentially, the EMC fixes customers’ maintenance costs at a set level that facilitates the advance setting of budgets with any excessive maintenance costs covered by MAN Diesel & Turbo. As Hjejlen’s tourist season is relatively short, keeping the steamer operational is vital. Ultimately, the EMC provides a predictability and stability that gives Hjejlen’s owners – the Hjejle Company – peace of mind.
On behalf of MAN Diesel & Turbo, Thomas Knudsen, Head of Low-Speed, signed the EMC contract on June 24th with Hjejlen’s owners on the very day that the ship celebrated its 150th anniversary at a series of events in the city of Silkeborg. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark played a prominent role in the celebrations and was a particularly apt choice as guest of honour in that it was her predecessor – King Frederik VII – that inaugurated Hjejlen exactly 150 years previously.
Originally built by Baumgarten & Burmeister, the original predecessor of MAN Diesel & Turbo, Hjejlen’s engine was built in Copenhagen along with the actual boat in 1861. Sailed on its maiden voyage from Copenhagen to Silkeborg, the boat has since plied its trade ferrying tourists about the famous lakes. Its original steam engine comprises two oscillating cylinders 26 cm in diameter and with a stroke length of 42 cm that give an output of 18 kW/ 24 horsepower at 8 atmospheres. On a typical day, the stoker shovels 3/4 tons of coal into the furnace with temperatures often reaching 40 degrees Celsius or more. Firing is started 3 to 5 hours before departure and Hjejlen can reach a top speed of some 8 knots.
In his speech, delivered at a gala dinner celebrating the anniversary, Thomas Knudsen said: “It was wonderful to experience sailing on Hjejlen earlier today and it has given me the greatest of pleasure to sign a maintenance contract that will ensure that this gem of a boat keeps sailing into the distant future. MAN Diesel & Turbo takes pride in its reputation and, in agreeing to look after the world’s oldest paddle steamer, we are demonstrating that we always stand by our products, even when they are as venerable as Hjejlen’s.”
