Smaller engines the next step in efficiency?

In an interview published in The Motorship’s December issue, head of business unit Oliver Riemenschneider explained that the industry’s initial response to tougher market conditions and tighter environmental regulation – limiting engine power and moving slower – was logical given the large number of existing ships driven by big two-stroke engines. But for future vessels, smaller engines may offer a more effective and economical solution.

“The clear direction is that we should have smaller engines with higher efficiency, even on the biggest ships,” said Riemenschneider, suggesting that the capital expenditure on installing big engines that are then limited was far from ideal.

“The immediate reaction to high fuel prices and a tough market situation was slow steaming. The assets were already available so the natural solution is to slow down and run more assets to get loads from A to B. But they are existing assets and current ideas; the next logical step to us is finding better solutions,” he said.

ABB Turbocharging shares a common research and development roadmap with the major engine designers. Riemenschneider noted that the challenge goes hand in hand with the development of gas engines. At present, high-pressure systems are more expensive to install but are more fuel efficient. Conversely, low-pressure dual fuel engines are less efficient in diesel mode, but provide for Tier III emissions compliance without after-treatment in gas mode.

“I think that the future lies in smaller engines, used better,” Riemenschneider concluded.

The full interview will be available on The Motorship website shortly.