NEXT GENERATION OF PROPULSION ENGINES FOR NEXT GENERATION OF SHIPS

Propulsion engines for ships of the future must be able to meet three criteria: reliability, comfort, and cost effectiveness. The author, technical director at Wartsila Diesel, points out that most reliability problems involving medium speed engines (e.g., piston seizures, cylinder wear) have been resolved by now. The question of comfort is discussed from the viewpoint of engine vibration and noise level. For economy of operation with a medium speed diesel engine, the author recommends the use of an alert speed regulation system.