Carnival Goes Smokeless!
Ray Goldenberg
Did I get your attention with that Subject? <;+)
The following press release announces what CCL terms as "the cruise
industry's first smokeless diesel engines". If you have missed any of
my news' postings, they are available on my web site.
Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com
HELSINKI, Finland, Dec. 15
In a working partnership between Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) and
the Finnish marine power systems supplier Wartsila Corporation, the
new 86,000-ton cruise ship ``Carnival Spirit'' will be fitted with the
cruise industry's first smokeless diesel engines.
The ``Carnival Spirit,'' the first ship in a new class for Carnival
Cruise Lines, is currently under construction at Kvaerner Masa-Yards
Inc. and is expected to enter service in late spring 2001. Its
inaugural season will include two Panama Canal sailings, a series of
Alaska and Hawaii voyages, and a new eight-day schedule from Miami.
Initially, two of the ship's six Wartsila 9L46D engines will be
modified with the new ``smokeless'' engine technology. The new
modified engines represent the culmination of a year-long project
between Carnival and Wartsila to develop a new ``earth-friendly''
power system, dubbed project EnviroEngine. The modified engines, part
of a diesel-electric propulsion system, represent one of the most
environmentally friendly power plants ever made available for cruise
ships, exceeding the international standards for emissions set out in
MARPOL Annex VI.
``We are very pleased to install these state-of-the-art engines in the
'Carnival Spirit' and look forward to the many environmental benefits
provided by this important new technology. Carnival's cooperation and
support has been very important to us,'' said Ole Johansson, President
and CEO of Wartsila Corporation.
The two Wartsila 46 EnviroEngines use a common rail fuel injection
system which enables injection pressures to be kept sufficiently high
at all engine speeds -- even at the lowest levels -- to ensure clean
combustion with no visible smoke emissions. The EnviroEngines will be
particularly beneficial for use in port, as they produce no visible
emissions even when lightly loaded for producing energy for lighting,
air conditioning and other hotel systems.
The EnviroEngine design is expected to be used for other vessels
currently under construction, including 86,000-ton ships by Carnival
Cruise Lines and for sister companies Holland America and Costa.
Existing ships can be refitted by replacing the current fuel injection
pumps with common rail components.
Wartsila Corporation is the leading global ship power supplier and a
major provider of solutions for decentralized power generation and
supporting services. In both areas, it places a strong emphasis on
minimizing environmental impact.
The core activities of Wartsila are the design, manufacture, licensing
and sales and service of Wartsila and Sulzer engines in marine
propulsion and power generation. Wartsila supplies total ship power
solutions including integrated propulsion power systems, main and
auxiliary engines, gears, control systems, generating sets, design and
project management together with global maintenance and operational
service for all types of marine vessels and offshore applications.
Carnival Corporation is comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, the
world's largest cruise line based on passengers carried, Holland
America Line, Windstar Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line, and
Costa Cruises. Combined, Carnival Corporation's various brands operate
48 ships in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe and other worldwide
destinations.