MTU order from Indian Coast Guard

The engines will be built in Friedrichshafen and supplied to the Cochin Shipyard Ltd. in the southern-Indian city of Kochi. Each vessel is to be powered by three 16V 4000 M90 engines, each rated at 3,648bhp, driving waterjets, for a design speed of up to 35 knots. Each of the patrol craft will be equipped with MTU’s Callosum automation system, integrating all ship’s services, including fire detection and extinguishing systems, with the machinery monitoring. MTU says that the choice of its engines, which are claimed to offer reliability, ease of maintenance and low fuel consumption, will enable the patrol vessels to remain at sea for prolonged periods without having to return to base .

The engines will be delivered between 2011 and 2014. Tognum signed two previous deals in 2009 for engines and automation systems for the Indian Coast Guard with a total value of €32.5 million. The exact value of the new contract, placed with MTU Asia, is not disclosed, but the company says it is “in the medium two-digit million euro range”.

“MTU has already sold more than 190 type 16V 4000 M90 engines to the Indian Coast Guard and Navy in recent years. They are highly valued for their proven reliability, outstanding power-to-weight ratio and also the well-established MTU service network in India,” says Peter Kneipp, member of the executive board of Tognum and responsible for the engines business unit.

The construction of the new ships is part of an expansion of the Indian Coast Guard, which is involved in fishery protection, combating smuggling and terrorism, prevention of illegal immigration, search and rescue operations and marine environment protection.