Copenhagen, 9 March 2006. The ME engines are inherently tailor-made for operation in heavy ice with their higher flexibility and increased manoeuvrability, and the advantages are now benefiting several shipowners.

Canadian owner Fednav’s latest ice breaking bulk carrier is equipped with a 7S70ME-C engine with 21,770 kW at 91 r/min. The engine was built by MAN B&W Diesel licensee Hitachi Zosen of Japan. The vessel, which has been built by Universal Shipbuilding in Japan, will be classed with ice class ICE-15. The vessel will be going on sea trials in mid-March.

Fred Hansen, Senior Vice President of Fednav says: “After considering the various alternative machinery installations, the choice of the Hitachi-MAN B&W 7S70ME-C engine was made on a number of factors: a) the ability of the engine to operate over the full range of service requirements, i.e. 36% MCR in open water, and provide the high torque required to maintain engine speed, when ice goes through the propeller b) We concluded that the overall operating costs would be lower with reduced risk.”

Simultaneously, in October and November five tankers with high ice class and 7S60ME-C with an output of 16,600 kW at 105 r/min were delivered to Russian owners Sovcomflot and Primorsk.

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