Caterpillar powers the new ‘Queen Elizabeth’

**Ally** · 03-11-2008, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Caterpillar Marine Power Systems delivers 4x MaK 12 M 43 C and 2x MaK 8 M 43 C marine engines to Fincantieri for Cunard’s third newbuilding.
10 Mar 2008 , Hamburg, Germany : Cunard Line and its fleet of “Queens” rank among the world’s best-known cruise brands. The Carnival subsidiary announced late 2007 that, following the giant “Queen Mary 2” and the elegant “Queen Victoria”, it would now replace the legendary “Queen Elizabeth 2” with a new “Queen Elizabeth” by 2010. The super-luxury Queen Elizabeth will be built at the Monfalcone yard of Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for about $700 million. The 92,000 GT cruise liner for 2,092 passengers will be the second largest Cunard ship ever built.

The Queen Elizabeth will offer the very best of Cunard’s values and traditions, blended with every conceivable luxury that today’s discerning travellers expect. Blending state-of-the-art engine technology with traditional engineering excellence – this also applies for the heart of Queen Elizabeth. A diesel-electric power plant made up of 4x MaK 12 M 43 C and 2x MaK 8 M 43 C marine engines will provide total 64,000 kW for main propulsion and hotel load. The six MaK engines will drive AC generators to supply the energy needed for on-board services, all auxiliary systems and the Azipod propulsion technology which actually propels the vessel.

Competency to benefit from
Leif Gross, Sales Director Global Cruise Projects with Caterpillar Marine Power Systems (CMPS) in Hamburg, underlines the trust and partnership involving Team Caterpillar®, the operator Cunard Line, Carnival Corporate Shipbuilding, the Fincantieri yard and CGT, Caterpillar’s MaK dealer for Italy. “In the end however”, Gross stresses, “CMPS was appointed to this prestigious project because of the combination of tailor-made lead times, proven engine reliability and inside-the-engine emission reduction technology it was able to offer.”

Every MaK M 43 C engine for Cunard will be fitted with Flexible Camshaft Technology (FCT) to guarantee invisible smoke at all loads and NOx emissions below current IMO (International Maritime Organization) regulations. Utilising FCT, the engines for the Queen Elizabeth will meet both the extended expectations of passengers on the sun deck and the more stringent legislative rules in some areas of the world, for example the Alaska Marine Vessel Visible Emission Standards. In addition, all M 43 C series engines can be easily converted to IMO II-compliant Low Emission Engine (LEE) standard at any time if Cunard desires.

“Diesel-electric propulsion, increased engine performance, resilient mounting, online condition monitoring (MaK DICARE) and reduced engine emissions by means of variable valve control – these are just a few of the many innovations that will make the Queen Elizabeth a fascinating project not only with respect to Cunard’s reputation in global cruise business but also with regard to the technology innovations built into the engine room”, says Gross.

Power to rely on
The MaK M 43 design was introduced in 1998, adding a powerful fourth model to the new MaK long-stroke medium-speed marine engine generation, which at that time consisted of the M 20, M 25 and M 32 diesels. In the meantime, more than 800 of the in-line 6, 7, 8, 9 and vee-type 12 and 16 cylinder M 43 engines have been sold, for a total power output of more than 6,000 MW. In 2004, a new M 43 C version developing 1,000 kW per cylinder was added. Today, the MaK M 43 C series is the market leader on container feeders up to 1,000 TEU, a strong player in cruise business and is clearly visible in other ocean-going market segments.

Meanwhile, CMPS has established excellent business relationships with UK-based Cunard Line, Italian-based Costa Crociere, US-based Holland America Line (HAL) and German-based AIDA Cruises – four leading brands within the Carnival Corporation & PLC, the global number one in cruise business. In addition to powering the new Queen Elizabeth, CMPS earlier agreed delivery of four similar ship sets of 4x MaK 12 M 43 C and 2x MaK 8 M 43 C marine engines to power two vessels in HAL’s “Signature Class” and two in Costa’s “Costa Luminosa” class. All are also being built at Fincantieri for delivery between 2008 and 2010. Germany’s Meyer Werft is receiving 24 MaK 9 M 43 C marine engines totalling 216 MW for six vessels in AIDA Cruises’ “Sphinx Class”. The first ship, “AIDAdiva”, is already in service while the second one, “AIDAbella”, is expected in April and the last one due 2012. CMPS is currently also involved in its first project with Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL Corporation Ltd.). That concerns two ship sets each of 3x MaK 16 M 43 C and 3x MaK 12 M 43 C marine engines to power NCL’s new “F3 Class” being built at Aker France. The first ship set will be delivered later this year with the ship itself expected for 2009/10.

Making Progress Possible
Caterpillar Marine Power Systems’ reference list for large cruise vessels currently notes 66 MaK M 43 C marine engines of about 700 MW total power output. “If you only take new ship designs into account, our engines have established market leadership – and this within only three years”, Gross commented. “Having said that, however, to power the new Queen Elizabeth is still an outstanding success for us. With Cunard’s glorious tradition dating back almost 170 years, we are pleased to make Team Caterpillar and the MaK brand a future part of this legacy. Put another way, we are proud to add our jewels to the crown!”

About Caterpillar Marine Power Systems
Caterpillar Marine Power Systems, with headquarters in Hamburg, Germany, brings together all the sales and service activities for Cat and MaK branded marine products within Caterpillar Inc. This organization provides premier marine power solutions (high and medium speed with outputs from 11 kW to 16,000 kW) and customer service from a single source for the global ocean-going, commercial and pleasure craft markets. The Caterpillar Marine Power Systems sales and service network includes more than 2,100 dealer locations world-wide and is well positioned to support customers wherever they are.

More information is available at CATERPILLAR MARINE POWER SYSTEMS - Excellence on Board or CATERPILLAR MARINE POWER SYSTEMS - Excellence on Board.

About Caterpillar
For more than 80 years, Caterpillar Inc. has been making progress possible and driving positive and sustainable change on every continent. With 2006 sales and revenues of $41.517 billion, Caterpillar is a technology leader and the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, clean diesel and natural gas engines and industrial gas turbines.

More information is available at www.cat.com.

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