Wartsila India to set up gearbox unit

Wartsila India, the Indian arm of Wartsila in Finland, is planning to set up marine reduction gearboxes manufacturing unit at Khopoli in Maharashtra. The company has plans to export the product to its European associates.

Banmali Agrawala, managing director of Wartsila India, said the company had realised India?s strength in casting and forging work and is keen on capitalising on it. The company plans to start production of three new gear types in the power range of 500 kW to 1800 kW at Khapoli to cover the lower power end of the Wartsila product range.

Wartsila India is planning to focus on exporting products for marine power and propulsion systems from India. According to Agrawala, India has an edge in cost-effective production and the company will export small- and medium-size components from the region to Europe.

Wartsila also plans to manufacture its marine auxiliary engines in China and has signed a joint venture with Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute, a subsidiary of China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation, to set up a manufacturing unit for engines. The new products in the Wartsila Auxpac package will include a comprehensive range of medium- and high-speed generating sets. The Auxpac generating sets will have different capacities to suit general cargo vessels, container ships, product tankers and VLCCs. The product will be offered as a pre-commissioned standard package.