---

A brand new medium speed engine featuring the most advanced technology has been launched on the market by Wärtsilä in conjunction with the Nor-Shipping 2015 exhibition in Oslo, Norway.

In a statement, Wärtsilä said: "The Wärtsilä 31 engine has significantly reduced maintenance requirements, while raising fuel efficiency, fuel flexibility, and operational optimization to totally new levels that are far beyond anything else currently available. Its fuel consumption efficiency in its diesel version is as low as 165 grammes per kilowatt-hour (kWh)."

The Wärtsilä 31 engine is designed to serve a variety of vessel types requiring main engine propulsion in the 4.2 to 9.8 medium wave (MW) power range. In the offshore sector, the Wärtsilä 31 is said to be ideally suited for AHTSs, OSVs, drilling and semi-submersible vessels, where the requirements are for operational flexibility, high power density, long intervals between overhauls, and high levels of safety. Similarly, in the cruise and ferry sector the Wärtsilä 31 is said to enable owners and operators to trim fuel expenses while maintaining high standards in environmental performance. Within the merchant fleet, the Wärtsilä 31 is designed for applications as a main engine for small to medium tankers, bulk carriers and container vessels.

The Wärtsilä 31 engine comes in three alternative versions; diesel, dual-fuel (DF) and spark-ignited gas (SG). According to Wärtsilä, the multi-fuel capabilities that the new engine brings to the market extend the possibilities for operators to utilize different qualities of fuels, from very light to very heavy diesel, and a range of different qualities of gas.

Wärtsilä added: "Extensive development work and the modularized design have made it possible to increase commonalities between the different models, thereby allowing this engine to meet the most complex project requirements. Furthermore, maintenance procedures can be simplified, while the time and costs for possible conversions can be minimized.

"The remarkable increases in fuel efficiency and fuel flexibility are matched by significant reductions in maintenance costs. For example, the first service on the Wärtsilä 31 is required after only 8000 running hours, whereas alternative standard marine engines require maintenance after 2000 running hours."

Roger Holm, Senior Vice President, Ship Power Engines, Wärtsilä, remarked: "Years of development work are today materialized with the introduction of the Wärtsilä 31 engine. With this product, Wärtsilä is capable of providing customers with the marine industry's most advanced, powerful, fuel efficient, fuel flexible, and environmentally sound engine. With this breakthrough development, which is based on the introduction of the very latest technology, we can now open the doors to a new level of optimization that is valid throughout the entire life of the vessel."

The Wärtsilä 31 is available in 8V, 10V, 12V, 14V and 16V cylinder configurations. Among the many features of this engine are the latest developments in fuel injection systems, engine control systems, and charge air technologies. It is available for applications in mechanical drive installations, for producing electricity when coupled with a generator, for hybrid installations, as well as heavy duty installations or as an auxiliary engine.