Doosan passes propulsion landmark

摘要

Korean licensee Doosan Engine Co broke the mould with its deliveries of the world's first 14-cylinder low-speed diesels, destined for A P Moller's record-breaking Emma Maersk-class containerships. The Waertsilae RT-Flex96C design in its 14-cylinder configuration is now also being rolled out by Hyundai Heavy Industries' engine works, for each of a series of eight 8600TEU newbuilds ordered by Hyundai Merchant Marine. Emma Maersk, with an official capacity of 11,000TEU, but a likely nominal capacity closer to 14,000TEU, has thereby taken the 'cathedral' engine and the electronically-controlled, common rail concept to new dimensions and to a power level of 80,080kW. She is the first of at least eight sisters from the Odense-Lindo yard in Denmark. The adoption of the 14-cylinder model for the smaller HMM newbuilds, in preference to a 12-cylinder prime mover, underscores the operator's competitive requirement to be able to maintain high service speeds in a fully-laden condition, with a significant reserve to facilitate schedule recovery when necessary.