The new 20,000sq mtr production plant is the first in China capable of locally producing large-bore, medium speed diesel and dual-fuel (DF) engines. The plant will also manufacture medium-bore, medium speed diesel and DF engines.
Wärtsilä 26, Wärtsilä 32, Wärtsilä 34DF, Wärtsilä 46F and Wärtsilä 46DF engines will be produced at the factory, which has a planned production capacity of 180 engines per year. CWEC has already booked orders for more than 70 engines and is focused on the cruise, ferry, LNG carrier, offshore, special vessel, and large container ship markets, all of which are strategic growth markets for the Chinese shipbuilding sector.
'Being close to our customers in order to serve them better is central to Wärtsilä's global strategy. We are, therefore, extremely pleased to officially open this modern production facility, the first in China capable of producing DF engines, which will serve China's shipbuilding industry with high quality, technologically advanced Wärtsilä marine engines. It is an honour to be sharing this day with our joint venture partners, CSSC, one of China's most modern industrial corporations. Together, we are supporting China's shipping industry's move into the age of LNG fuel,' commented Wärtsilä's president & ceo Jaakko Eskola at the opening ceremony.
'This is an important day for China's shipbuilding sector as we now have local availability of both medium and large-bore Wärtsilä diesel and dual-fuel engines. Wärtsilä's extraordinary technological accomplishments and global reputation have been built on its proud history spanning more than 180 years. With our two companies now standing shoulder to shoulder behind this joint venture, we can anticipate great things for the future, said Wu Qiang, president of CSSC.
In November 2016, Wärtsilä signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS), also a part of CSSC and the yard constructing China's first domestic-built cruise ship.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the factory took place in October, 2015, and already the first Wärtsilä engine has been delivered to the Shanghai Waigaoqia Shipyard (SWS). Currently 80 people are employed at the plant, and this number is expected to rise to 130 during 2017.
CWEC's production process strictly follows Wärtsilä's leading industry standards. Of particular importance to the company's customers is Wärtsilä's dual-fuel engine technology, which by being able to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel, enables compliance with the IMO's TIER III environmental legislation.
The joint venture was established in July, 2014 with CSSC holding 51% of the shares and Wärtsilä the remaining 49%.
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