New Propulsion Plants for Cruise Vessel

The cruise vessel Black Watch, built in Helsinki in 1972, will be equipped with a completely new MAN B&W Diesel propulsion plant. On April 19, 2005, the Black Watch of the Red Band AS Shipping company, Norway, will arrive at the Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, where she will be completely renewed within a period of only 57 days, including a 2-day sea trial. Conversion and modernization work is focused on a reduction of the noise and vibration levels, as well as on clearly lower fuel consumption rates of new, state-of-the-art propulsion engines. The shipping company, which is mainly known on the British cruise market, has therefore decided in favor of four new MAN B&W 7L32/40 Diesel engines for the propulsion of the BLACK WATCH. In addition, MAN B&W Diesel will deliver two GenSets of the 8L21/31 type for energy supply. “We are very proud to play such an important part in the BLACK WATCH modernization project, which underlines the outstanding position of MAN propulsion systems in the shipping industry”, emphasis Dr. Spindler, Executive Board member of MAN B&W Diesel AG, Augsburg. Each of the main engines generates an output of 3,500 kW (4,700 HP) and is run at 750 rpm. The new propulsion plant will be resiliently mounted on pre-manufactured foundations, while the propeller blades of the vessel will also be renewed and adjusted to the engine power. As the general contractor, MAN B&W Diesel is, in addition to the propulsion system, also responsible for the delivery of two new double reduction gearboxes of the NDSL-2800 type, manufactured by Renk AG, a further member of the MAN Group. A completely new propulsion control system will also be installed for the reliable operation of the new plant. Further modernization will be carried out within the scope of the safety equipment, cabins and public facilities. The 205 m long vessel has 400 cabins and a passenger capacity of 761 persons. On completion of the conversion work, the efficiency of the new propulsion plant and the corresponding systems will be tested during a 2-day sea trial. Afterwards the completely renewed cruise vessel BLACK WATCH will leave the Blohm + Voss shipyard on course for Southampton.