Wärtsilä books a hush-hush contract from the Faroe Islands

OCTOBER 31, 2017 — A research vessel being built at the MEST shipyard in the Faroe Islands is to have an ultra-silent Wärtsilä propulsion package.

The 54 m vessel is being built for the Faroe Islands Marine Research Institute, It is scheduled to commence operations in mid-2020, and will be used to help provide a basis for the responsible exploitation of the marine resources around the Faroe Islands.

The ability to create a propulsion solution that significantly limits underwater radiated noise (URN) and which meets the DNV Silent R notation, was a key factor in the award of this contract to Wärtsilä. By enabling the vessel to sail with very little URN, the Wärtsilä solution will facilitate the ability of the research personnel onboard to carry out their tasks with greater effectiveness.

The super silent propulsion was made possible by Wärtsilä’s in-house competences in silent diesel generator sets, propeller shaft lines, and electrical and automation (E&A) systems.

The 54 long ship will be powered by two 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20 engines and will have a silent Wärtsilä fixed pitch propeller and complete shaft line. The solution is very compact, which results in reduced acoustic signals. Wärtsilä will also supply a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system to clean the engine exhaust of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.

“It is a reflection on Wärtsilä’s extensive resources in both equipment and in-house technical know-how that we are able to meet the customer’s need for an ultra-silent vessel. This broad range of competences enables us to serve our customers better, and gives Wärtsilä a distinct competitive edge,” says Simon Riddle, General Manager, Naval & Research Vessels, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions

“Having a single supplier capable of providing everything specified for this modern research vessel’s performance requirements is, of course, extremely helpful. It saves procurement time and reduces the project scheduling risks, so we are very grateful for Wärtsilä’s cooperation and support,” says Mouritz Mohr, CEO, MEST Shipyard.