World record holding Wärtsilä 31 engine wins European Marine Engineering Conference award

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade press release, 14 April 2016 at 13:30 hrs EET

The Wärtsilä 31 engine, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world's most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine, has won yet another award. At the European Marine Engineering Conference's gala dinner, held in Amsterdam on April 13, the Wärtsilä 31 was announced as being the winner of the Marine Engines Award.

The category entry requirements noted that "the winning entry will be an innovative and original development that demonstrates an engineering innovation that represents a step-change in engine technology."

"The Wärtsilä 31 truly represents a breakthrough in marine engine efficiency, and its introduction last year marked the setting of a new benchmark for 4-stroke engines. It provides customers with the marine industry's most advanced, powerful, fuel efficient, fuel flexible, and environmentally sound engine. The engine's development has been based on the very latest technology, and it opens the door to a new level of optimisation that is valid throughout the entire life of the vessel," says Stefan Wiik, Vice President, Engines, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The Wärtsilä 31 engine comes in three alternative versions; Diesel, Dual-Fuel (DF) and Spark-Ignited Gas (SG). The multi-fuel capabilities that the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market extend the possibilities for operators to utilise different qualities of fuels, from very light to very heavy diesel, and a range of different qualities of gas. The engine is designed to serve a variety of vessel types requiring main engine propulsion in the 4.2 to 9.8 MW power range.

The remarkable increases in fuel efficiency and fuel flexibility that the Wärtsilä 31 brings to the market are matched by significant reductions in maintenance costs. For example, the first service on the Wärtsilä 31 is required after only 8000 running hours, whereas alternative standard marine engines require maintenance after 2000 running hours.

The first Wärtsilä 31 engines have already been ordered. They will power a state-of-the-art new generation icebreaker currently under construction at the PJSC Vyborg Shipyard in Russia. The ship is being built on behalf of FSUE Atomflot, a subsidiary of ROSATOM, the Russian State Corporation for Atomic Energy. The order was signed in September 2015.

Link to more information on wartsila.com:
The Wärtsilä 31 engine
Press release: First Wärtsilä 31 engines selected for state-of-the-art icebreaker

Link to image
Caption: The Wärtsilä 31 engine, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records as being the world's most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine, has won yet another award.

Media contacts:

Mr Lars Anderson
Vice President, Engine Sales
Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Tel: +65 62674298
lars.anderson@wartsila.com

Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager Marketing, Communications, Marine Solutions
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com

Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in advanced technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2015, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 5 billion with approximately 18,800 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com