Sulzer RTA98C cracks repaired

Wartsila NSD is undertaking repairs and modifications to the first eight RTA96C engines following the discovery of cracks in the A frames. These first engines are fitted in container ships in service with P&O Nedlloyd, Hanjin Shipping and NOL.

To rectify the problems, Wartsila NSD has redesigned the stiffeners inside the engine and the modification has been incorporated as standard in subsequent engines. It is currently installing the new stiffener arrangement in the existing engines, and repairing the cracks in the A frame.

In engines where the cracks have not become critical, repairs will be left until the next scheduled drydocking, but those vessels with greater problems are undergoing immediate repair. P&O Nedlloyd?s fleet technical manager, Henk JJ van Heel, says he has received full support from Wartsila NSD and is satisfied with the result.

P&O has another nine of the RTA96C engines on order for container ships being built in Germany and Korea.