Wärtsilä receives an order from Lunar Fishing Company to supply new trawler
The technology group Wärtsilä continues its success in providing highly efficient, fully integrated propulsion solutions for fishing vessels with yet another valuable order, the company said in its press release. Lunar Fishing Company Ltd, based in Scotland, is replacing its existing 'Lunar Bow' purse seiner trawler with a new ship having the same name.
The primary considerations were to achieve both economic and environmental benefits through selecting the market's most efficient propulsion machinery. The vessel is being built at the Karstensens Skibsvaerft shipyard in Denmark and the order with Wärtsilä was booked in October 2017.
The main engine chosen is the Wärtsilä 31, listed by Guinness World Records as being the world's most efficient 4-stroke diesel engine. Its outstanding fuel efficiency results in the corresponding benefit of producing fewer exhaust emissions, thereby meeting the industry's need for lower operational costs and better environmental performance.
Wärtsilä will also supply a controlled pitch propeller (CPP) and a 2-speed gearbox. The two gear ratio settings facilitate a reduced propeller speed at an optimal and constant engine speed, which also contributes to achieving lower fuel consumption and reduced emission levels. Furthermore, at low propeller rpm the hydro-acoustic noise is minimised; an important consideration for the vessel's fishing capabilities.
Controlling the entire propulsion operation will be Wärtsilä's award winning ProTouch system, a comprehensive arrangement of levers, touch-screen interfaces, displays, indicators, and modules that ensures optimal visibility for the operator. This promotes added safety, both at sea and in port.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered to the yard in early 2019 and the vessel is expected to begin fishing operations in the North Sea later that year.
