Technology group Wärtsilä will upgrade the Wärtsilä RT-flex main engines on two bulk carrier vessels owned by Turkey-based Ulusoy Sealines. The planned engine retrofits and upgrades will extend the vessels’ operational life and improve both performance and fuel efficiency, thereby significantly reducing emissions. The orders were booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2024 and Q1 2025.

Current regulations – such as Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) – are requiring the majority of the merchant fleet to become more energy efficient. Therefore, the aim of the upgrade is to align the engines’ performance with the latest operational profile of the two vessels, both of which have undergone substantial changes since the initial delivery of the vessels to the market in 2011.

With the integration of Wärtsilä Part Load Optimisation (WPLO), Intelligence Combustion Control (ICC), and Fuel Actuated Sackless Technology (FAST), a CII improvement of 5% is anticipated, equating to a 2-year extension of the CII rating. Additionally, annual fuel savings of nearly 250 tons are estimated, resulting in potential cost savings of more than 150,000 US Dollars per year, and a reduction in CO2 emissions of approximately 780 tons per year per vessel.

“We continuously strive to operate our fleet in the most environmentally friendly and efficient manner possible. These engine upgrades are, therefore, very important to us and we are excited to be able to provide added value to our customers by combining existing assets with these state-of-the-art engine retrofits,” comments Capt. A.Akin OZCOREKCI/DPA–OPR MANAGER, Ulusoy Sealines.

Wärtsilä has closely cooperated with Ulusoy for several years and this project is a continuation of the two companies’ joint efforts to maintain environmental and operational efficiency and comply with all relevant regulations.

“These engine upgrades will involve the integration of various solutions, both long-standing and newly developed, which are meticulously fine-tuned to achieve the highest operational improvements and maximum savings tailored to the vessel’s specific operational profile,” says Peter Knaapen, Director, 2-Stroke & Other OEM Services – Wärtsilä Marine.

The delivery of the required parts and equipment for the two vessels – ULUSOY 11 and ULUSOY 12 – is scheduled to take place during the first half of 2025.