The Allure of Power

Continuity is a valuable asset in the marine field, especially so in relation to the most essential products pivotal to vessel design and operation. The diesel engine producers' adeptness at enhancing existing, successful designs at intervals through power and performance upgradings is a prime example of the development potential built into ships' machinery, making for longevity of the series involved. The ensuing continuity of the product line offers practical benefits to the client market and also to the licensors and manufacturers, given the huge investment costs entailed in developing entirely new engines and putting the requisite tooling in place.

In the latest example of the enhancement and modernization of a proven class of diesel, MAN B&W is planning to release a new version of the secondbest seller in its medium-speed family from Augsburg, the 48/60 type (pictured on next page). The new 48/60B is to be introduced at a rating of 1,200-kW per cylinder at running speeds of 500 and 514-rpm, an increase of 14-percent over the 48/60 in its present guise.

However, higher output is just one, albeit fundamental aspect of the advances encapsulated by the B generation in relation to its immediate predecessor.

Better fuel economy, lower mass and lower exhaust gas emissions, including smoke, are also claimed for the V-engine models, which will lead the 48/60B's market entry under a campaign dubbed 'The allure of power'.

Vee-form engines in 12- to 18-cylinder configurations, covering a power bracket between 14,400 and 21,600-kW are due to become available from early 2003.

In-line models of 6- to 9-cylinder layout should follow during the late summer of 2003, taking the range from nominal outputs of 7,200-kW upwards.

MAN B&W's initiative will surely intensify competition in a mediumspeed diesel power band pertinent to passengerships, ferries, RoRos and other types of tonnage. Moreover, the design is well-suited to stationary power generation applications. Since its market launch in 1989, up to January 31 this year, the 48/60 series has attracted sales of 245 engines, amounting to 2,630 cylinders and 3.7m-bhp.Operating hours from the 162 engines ordered for marine applications and 83 used in landbased duties have topped 3.2 million hours, with some having already logged about 60,000 running hours. Indicative of the progression achieved with a single design, the 48/60 had originally been launched with a rating of 885-kW per cylinder at 428 and 450-rpm.

Other stories from April 2002 issue

Content

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.