Six MaK M 43 C engines with a combined clout of 64,000kW on the cruise ship Nieuw Amsterdam will underscore Caterpillar Marine Power Systems’ (CMPS) capabilities in high-end propulsion technology.
The latest newbuilding for Holland America Line (HAL) will again rely on a diesel-electric configuration of 4x MaK 12 M 43 C and 2x MaK 8 M 43 C engines. When she is delivered in 2010, the 86,000GT Nieuw Amsterdam will blend
sophisticated design with cutting-edge engine technology and further boost the reputation of the HAL brand.
The last of the MaK engines are now undergoing final customer acceptance tests at the Caterpillar Motoren facility in Rostock, Germany. Experts from both Caterpillar and the responsible Marine Classification Society (MCS), Lloyd’s Register, are checking the engine performance even under extremes that it will almost certainly never have to experience in real life.
On-hands inspection of major engine components as well as the boroscoping of liners will ensure that engine assembly was to highest quality standards and that no unexpected wear will occur. Shipment of all six engines to Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy is scheduled for the end of March.
Bella Donna
In March 2006 Italian shipyard Fincantieri ordered the first ship set comprising 4x MaK 12 M 43 C and 2x MaK 8 M 43 C marine engines to power the new signature class cruise
ship being built for Holland America Line. The vessel was delivered in 2008 as Eurodam and has already logged thousands of miles at sea. Following the initial order, Fincantieri clinched contracts for another four vessels with the same engine configuration.
Apart from Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam for HAL, Carnival brand Costa Crociere will also receive two ships each of 92,700GT and for 2,828 passengers. The first, Costa Luminosa, will be delivered in April while the second, Costa Deliziosa, is for delivery in January 2010. In late
2007, Fincantieri placed a fifth order for this engine configuration destined for Cunard Line’s new Queen Elizabeth, which is also scheduled for delivery in 2010.
Bella Tecnologia
All the Fincantieri newbuildings rely on diesel-electric propulsion. The MaK engines will drive AC generators to deliver the energy needed for onboard facilities, auxiliary systems and the Azipod propulsion technology that actually propels the ships.
Each MaK M 43 C engine will be fitted with Flexible Camshaft Technology (FCT) to guarantee invisible smoke at all loads and NOx emissions below current International Maritime Organisation (IMO) regulations. Utilising FCT, the engines will meet both the extended expectations of passengers on the sun deck and the more stringent legislative rules in some areas of the world, such as the Alaska Marine Vessel Visible Emission Standards.
In addition, all M 43 C series engines can be easily converted to IMO II-compliant MaK Low Emission Engine (LEE) standard at any time if the operator desires.
Among the latest innovations in on-board propulsion technology is the MaK DICARE engine monitoring and maintenance system. By tracking both current engine status and long-term trends, the system enables optimum utilisation of scheduled maintenance, service personnel and
spare parts, cutting operating costs and extending service life.
DICARE spots malfunctions at a glance, assessing data, plausibility and the built-in expertise of decades of MaK diesel engine design.
Bella Maccina
Chris Joly, principal manager of marine engineering at Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding in Southampton, UK, described the MaK M 43 C engine series as “a clean, neat design with very easy access to all major components”. He also underlined the excellent support given by Caterpillar Marine and the various technical teams involved at Caterpillar Motoren facilities in Kiel and Rostock.
“We have experienced satisfactory operation and good
fuel economy in daily service of AIDA and HAL newbuildings,” he said. “However, most of all we are satisfied with the flexible camshaft technology and its guarantee of extremely low smoke levels even at minimum power. This is a perfect match with Carnival’s focus on sustainable development and environmental protection.
“We are looking forward to seeing the MaK M 43 C series engines also in service in the Costa and Cunard newbuildings.”
Leif Gross, sales director of global cruise projects at CMPS in Hamburg, underscored the partnership involving Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding, Fincantieri and Team Caterpillar. He said: “Diesel-electric propulsion, increased engine performance, resilient mounting, online condition monitoring and reduced engine emissions – these are all innovations that will make the Nieuw
Amsterdam another fascinating project both inside and outside the engine room.”