Marine diesel

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has developed a new low-speed marine diesel engine, the "UEC50LSE," in cooperation with Wärtsilä Switzerland.

The new engine targets Panamax and Handimax class bulk carriers as well as feeder container ships. Panamax vessels are capable of passage through the Panama Canal; they range from 70,000 to 90,000 DWT (dead-weight tonnage) in scale. Handimax vessels are slightly smaller, at 50,000-58,000 DWT. Feeder container ships have capacities below 2,700 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) and transport containers between major hub ports and smaller feeder service ports.

The new UEC50LSE engine has a cylinder bore of 500 mm (millimetres) with a maximum power output of 1,660 kW per cylinder. MHI says that the new engine achieves up to 15% higher output compared to conventional engines of similar size.

The engine is designed to accommodate the SIP (Swirl Injection Principle) cylinder oil injection system. Developed by Hans Jensen Lubricators of Denmark, the SIP system is a lubrication system that reduces cylinder oil consumption and minimises the wear of cylinder ring liners.

The new engine will be brought to market after performance and reliability testing is completed.