Wärtsilä has won a Vinashin Shipbuilding Industry Corporation contract to supply fixed pitch (FP) propellers for a series of five bulk carriers under construction for UK-based shipowner Graig Group.
The contract signed in November, marks Wärtsilä’s first FP propeller contract from a Vietnamese shipyard.
“Wärtsilä has previously supplied propulsion equipment for Graig’s award-winning Diamond 53 bulk carrier series but this is the first of a series of Wärtsilä FP propellers contracted by a Vietnamese shipyard.
“Vietnam is increasingly becoming an important player in the global shipbuilding market and we are pleased that Vinashin has offered Wärtsilä this opportunity to supply our propulsion equipment to this emerging shipbuilding force,” said Jaakko Eskola, Vice President of Wärtsilä Ship Power Business.
Due for delivery in August 2007, the first LIPS-type propeller will be for installation to a Diamond 34K bulker under construction at Vinashin’s Pha Rung shipyard. The first vessel is due for delivery to Graig in November 2007.
The CarlBro-designed D34K is a double-hulled, handy-size bulk carrier with a length of 180.00m, a moulded breadth of 30m and a deadweight of 34,000t. The first ships in the series have reportedly been sold to an Italian shipowner.
Wärtsilä’s LIPS-type fixed pitch propeller propellers are custom designed and made for each application. Propellers vary in diameter from 1 to 12 metres and from several hundreds of kilos to more than 100 tonnes, while the propellers for these series will have a diameter of 5600 mm. The propellers will be delivered complete with shafting and Wärtsilä’s JMT seals. The seals are of Sternguard 4BL type.
Given the complex geometry of modern propellers, the casting process is monitored from start to finish ensuring a high-quality casting. Wärtsilä’s patented Cunial material provides excellent casting, machining and fatigue properties with optimum efficiency and reduced noise and vibration levels. An additional advantage is that they are easy to repair.
Media contact:
Marit Holmlund-Sund
Public Relations Manager
Wärtsilä Corporation
Direct tel: +358 10 709 1439
Direct fax: +358 10 709 1425
e-mail: marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
Internet: www.wartsila.com
Notes to the editor:
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 14,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä locations in close to 70 countries around the world.
