China picks Wärtsilä propulsion for ocean rescue vessels

SEPTEMBER 17, 2013 — Wärtsilä  is supply the main propulsion system for four new ocean rescue vessels being built at the CSSC Guangzhou Huang-Pu Shipbuilding Company Ltd shipyard in China for delivery at the end of 2014 to the Chinese Government’s Ministry of Transportation, Rescue and Salvage Bureau.

The order was signed in the second quarter of 2013 and is part of a series of contracts covering a total of 22 vessels.

The comprehensive package of Wärtsilä propulsion solutions comprises 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 main engines, Wärtsilä controllable pitch propellers (CPP), gearboxes, shaft generators and Wärtsilä’s Lipstronic 7000 propulsion control system. The overall offering has been optimized to meet the customer’s requirements and the operating profile of the vessels. Since ocean rescue operations are typically carried out in rough seas and heavy weather conditions, reliability and safety were high priority considerations in the award of the contract.

“We are delighted to have been selected to provide the propulsion equipment for these vessels. The harsh environment in which they will operate means that efficiency and reliability are of paramount importance. Wärtsilä’s fully integrated propulsion solutions are engineered to meet the most demanding requirements, and we back this capability with support not only with Wärtsilä’s broad, commercial expertise and experience but also from the industry’s most comprehensive service network,” says Mr Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President, Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

Wärtsilä has been delivering equipment to the China Rescue & Salvage Bureau for more than 15 years and is the first European company to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry to deepen the level of mutual collaboration and to establish a longer-term mechanism for the promotion of bilateral communication and exchanges.