Sulzer secures RTA84T orders

Defects in the bedplates of some Sulzer RTA84 engines has not prevented owners placing new orders for the power unit. Last year 24 orders were placed for the 84T (for installation in VLCCs and ULCCs to be built in China, Japan and Korea) and will bring the total to 78 on order or delivered. The National Iranian Tanker Co has ordered ten engines to give the VLCC it has ordered from Dalian New shipyard in China and Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea a service speed of 15.5 knots. All the 7RTA84T-B 27,160kW (36,407 bhp) engines will be built in Korea, five by Hyundai for the ships it is constructing, and the remainder by HSD Engine Co for export to China. Another eight HSD-built 84T engines are destined for vessels contracted by Hellespont. And, IHI has ordered four 7RTA84Ts from Diesel United to power two Formosa Plastics` 260,000 dwt tankers, a similar sized vessel for Iino Kaiun, and a 300,000 dwt VLCC for Shinwa Kaiun. DU will also build another two 7RTA84T engines for NKK Line`s 300,000 dwt VLCCs.