New stern trawler design offers greater fuel efficiency

The propulsion system is based on the Wärtsilä 31 engine, which has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the world's most efficient four-stroke diesel engine, Wärtsilä says. The design also incorporates Wärtsilä's hybrid battery technology, which offers a significant energy-efficiency improvement over conventional systems by running the engine at optimal load and absorbing many of the load fluctuations using batteries, according to the company.
The Wärtsilä VS 6215 ST stern trawler design has a unique aft ship layout. Furthermore, the combination of an optimised hull and a propulsion system driven by the Wärtsilä 31 engine sets this design apart from anything seen before in this market segment, Wärtsilä says. In addition to the hybrid battery technology, the design incorporates Wärtsilä's two-speed gearbox for further reductions in fuel consumption and emissions.
"Stern trawlers can be out fishing for up to 350 days a year, and fuel consumption is therefore an extremely relevant consideration. Our new design features the very latest technologies and has been developed to offer the fishing industry lower fuel costs and greater possibilities for profitable operations," remarked Riku-Pekka Hägg, vice president of ship design at Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
The design of the 82m-long vessel emphasises seakeeping and stability, Wärtsilä says. The factory capacity is 80T/24h.