Waertsilae has introduced a new upgrade kit for slow steaming for RTA and RT-flex low-speed engines to enable shipowners and operators to make major savings in fuel costs while slow steaming their ships.rnThe upgrade kit allows Wartsila low-speed marine engines to be operated continuously at any power in the range of 20 percent to 100 percent. This means that with the upgrade kit ships can sail continuously at sea speeds down to some 60 percent full speed.rnHigh bunker prices have put fuel efficiency high on the agenda of charterers, shipowners and ship operators. There is thus considerable interest in slow steaming - that is, operating ships for long periods at reduced sea speeds. Yet without modification with this upgrade kit, there is increased risk of engine fouling and excessive component temperatures when operating continuously below 50 percent engine load. The upgrade kit overcomes such problems, enabling the engines to operate continuously at powers down to 20 percent of their full installed power.rnThe modified engine is not permanently derated but can operate at any time up to its full installed power. Owing to the characteristic power versus speed relationship of ship propellers, this extended operational power range enables ships to be sailed at sea speeds down to some 60 percent of full speed.
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