Chilean Navy. The order was placed by Astilleros y Maestranzas de la Armada (Asmar), the state-owned shipyard constructing the vessels and it was included in Wärtsilä’s order book in February 2023.
According to Wärtsilä The Escotillón IV project, under which these ships are being built, will not only increase Chile’s defence capabilities, but will also allow the ships to be used for humanitarian operations.
The full Wärtsilä scope for each ship includes two Wärtsilä 26 main engines and four Wärtsilä 20 auxiliary engines, an emergency generating set, two Wärtsilä gearboxes, two controlled pitch propellers (CPPs) with efficiency rudders and steering gear, the Wärtsilä ProTouch control system, a Wärtsilä tunnel thruster, a main switchboard, a power management system (PMS), two power take-in/take-out (PTI/PTO) drives, two uninterruptable power supply (UPS) systems, the transformers, and a bow thruster drive.
The rudders are combined with high efficiency propellers, fairing caps and a bulb on the rudders. Testing has shown that this results in the required power values being reduced by 3-4 percent at the required vessel speed. The rudders and steering gears are the result of cooperation between Wärtsilä and Damen Marine Components.
“From previous experience, we know and trust Wärtsilä to deliver high quality and reliability in all their products and systems.” says Alejandro König Scheihing, Shipbuilding Manager, ASMAR.
“We are very proud that Asmar has again put their trust in Wärtsilä to be the supplier of this extensive scope of equipment for the Escotillón IV vessels.” says Simon Riddle, General Manager, Naval Sales at Wärtsilä.
During the early development stages of the project, Wärtsilä introduced the concept of a PTI / PTO system. To improved the specific fuel oil consumption of the vessel during low speed manoeuvres.
With the use of medium speed diesel generating sets, this has further assisted in bringing the overall yearly fuel burn down compared to conventional diesel mechanical propulsion systems.
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard commencing in 2024.
