Page 43: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 1998)

S IVI •%/• [P crc^wB however, the Meko class embodies signatures of successful "next-gen- eration" warships. Specifically, the

Meko class is designed to signifi- cantly reduce the ship's signature.

This is achieved primarily through optimal hull shaping, and can greatly enhance the vessel's ability to operate undetected.

Survivability was also key in the design of the class, and steps taken to ensure the ships are able to withstand damage yet remain operational include the compart- mental arrangement of the moni- toring and control system, the ven- tilation system, the fire fighting system and the power distribution system.

Supply & Demand

The quality of German machin- ery in and out of the ship supply realm are well documented and need no additional accolades. The interesting developments of the

German ship equipment side lies in the ability of German manufac- turers to maintain the highest of quality standards in a market where price pressures are so tremendous, and in light of a changing industrial landscape which leaves it impossible to main- tain previous decade worker levels and profitability at the same time.

Germany's engine makers — notably MAN B&W, MaK, MTU — have continued towards producing reliable, energy efficient, cost effective and environmentally sound units while streamlining the number of components and main- tenance complexity.

MaK will showcase its new M43 engine at SMM, a unit weighing in at 85 tons. With this diesel engine, the company, which belongs to

U.S. group Caterpillar now, is launching the fourth series of the new generation of long-stroke engines on the market. All vari- ants from six to nine cylinders are offered, thereby linking the range with the M32 series. The V config- uration in 12 and 18-cylinder mod- els provide output from 10,800 to 16,200 kW. And the series meets

IMO NOx reduction via a high compression ratio and correspond- ing sparking pressure, combined with low fuel consumption.

MAN B&W is also using SMM

Circle 239 on Reader Service Card ••••••

September, 1998 43