OPINION

Engine power … did you know that?

Importer 14 years ago

The first oceangoing, diesel-powered ship in the world, the m.v. Selandia, began her maiden voyage from Copenhagen to Bangkok in 1912, powered by two B&W 4-stroke main engines. She stopped off in London where Winston Churchill was one of the visitors. In honour of the Sealandia’s achievement a century ago, the Danish National Bank has used an image of the ship on its 20kr coin.
In 1930, a B&W 2-stroke diesel engine was installed in a ship for the first time, and in 1933 the world’s largest diesel engine was delivered to the Danish power station H.C. Orsted (the Danish scientist of that name is known to have discovered electromagnetism in 1820). That engine, a double acting, 2-stroke engine of eight cylinders, kept its position as “world’s largest” until B&W made a larger unit in 1964. The giant of 1933 is 12.5m tall, weighing 1,400 tons, and is still on display at the same location, now the DieselHouse in Copenhagen. The engine is started up every second Sunday.
The MAN B&W licensee Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea was the first to pass the 100,000bhp limit with the 12K98MC engine installed in a series of containerships for Greek owner Costamare. The largest diesel engine in the world at present is the 14-cylinder RTA96-C engine of Wärtsilä-Sulzer, capable of 108,920bhp, that powers the mega containership Emma Maersk.

With acknowledgement to Gard News, Arendal, Norway.