Back… Click HERE to read Part 1 of our Mega Engine Series
The Emma Maersk’s Wartsila-Sulzer RTA96-C turbocharged two-stroke diesel ship engine is the most powerful and most efficient prime-mover of super ships in the world today.
The RTA96-C is the largest engine in the world and is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions, all are inline engines. These engines were designed primarily for very large container ships but similar large diesel engines run large ships of all kinds. Ship owners like the combination of a single engine and single propeller for reasons of efficiency and cost of production vs operation of these mega-vessels. As ships continue to get larger with new generations of larger container ships being built each year shippers like Emma’s owner, A.P. Møller - Mærsk, will need a bigger engines to propel them.
To help relate to the size of this monstrous engine consider that one cylinder bore alone is just under 38″ and the stroke is just over 98″. And the alone engine weighs in at 2,300 tons and is capable of delivering 109,000 horsepower.
The following photos are from Aioi Works of Japan’s Diesel United who built the first engines for Emma and her sister ships.
The largest piston in the world!
More Enormous Piston Rods.
“DU-Sulzer 12RT A96C” translated to “One large MFD”
How it works.
So you’re wondering what this behemoth powers… right? Nothing less impressive than the
Emma Maersk
.
The Emma Maersk, underway at full speed.
Small tugboat pulls the world’s largest ship into port.
Emma Maersk as she looks from the sky.
A Comparison of the 
World’s Largest Ships (from the Wall Street Journal) . We hate to tell the world’s premier business newspaper they forgot one… but they did. Larger than Emma Maersk is the The Ultra Large Crude Carrier (now an FPSO) Knock Nevis... formerly known as Seawise Giant, Happy Giant, and Jahre Viking.
Think that’s impressive…. what if she ever caught fire??
SHE DID: Emma Maersk Fire
For more horsepower check out our previous ship’s engineer posts:
- Maersk Container Ship Engine Room Tour
- Victory Ship Engine Room Tour
- Photo Of An Engine
- Ship Engine Falls Off Truck – San Diego
- CO2 Firefighting and an Engine Room Fire
References:
Post links via Fred Fry via Never Sea Land via Maritime News Discoverer
his blog regularly via satellite, and he’s got a great nose for interesting tidbits that are guaranteed to amaze both maritime professionals and armchair wannabes alike. To show you what we mean, here are just five of gCaptain’s recent Greatest Hits:The Wartsila-Sulzer Super Engine[IMG Wartsilasulzerengine] The largest engine in the world, this giant power plant propels container ships like the Emma Maersk: It is available in 6 through 14 cylinder versions, all are inline engines. These engines were designed primarily for very
Not nearly the biggest ship! I’ve sailed 300,000 tonners myself which drew 72′ of water. They were a little shorter at 1100′ but 190′ wide and 30′ deeper when loaded and they were considered VeryLargeCrudeCarriers not even UltraLargeCrudeCarriers! If you add the tonnage of the biggest Aircraft Carrier to all it’s supporting vessels, it doesn’t make 300,000 tonnes let alone the 400,000 tonnes of the ULCC’sor the 564,763 tonnes of the Knock Nevis!
Not nearly the biggest ship! I’ve sailed 300,000 tonners myself which drew 72′ of water. They were a little shorter at 1100′ but 190′ wide and 30′ deeper when loaded and they were considered VeryLargeCrudeCarriers not even UltraLargeCrudeCarriers! If you add the tonnage of the biggest Aircraft Carrier to all it’s supporting vessels, it doesn’t make 300,000 tonnes let alone the 400,000 tonnes of the ULCC’sor the 564,763 tonnes of the Knock Nevis!
They did mention the Knock Nevis at the bottom of the post but they should change the article title.
They did mention the Knock Nevis at the bottom of the post but they should change the article title.
You are both right… I’ll edit the Article title.
In related news… Stranded has a good article showing how these pistons and cylinder liners are reconditioned:
http://strandedmariner.wordpress.com/2007/09/02/reconditioning-of-cylinder-liners/
You are both right… I’ll edit the Article title.
In related news… Stranded has a good article showing how these pistons and cylinder liners are reconditioned:
http://strandedmariner.wordpress.com/2007/09/02/reconditioning-of-cylinder-liners/
[...] comments (0)I thought this was semi-interesting. Check out what’s under the hood of a cargo carrier.Largest Engine Name Title Comment You Can Add Up To 3 Links To Your Comment Before [...]
[...] Ship in the world and the last of these giants scheduled to be built. She is also equipped with the largest engine in the world. Marine Link tells us: On August 25, 2007 Odense Steel Shipyard presented its latest newbuilding, [...]
[...] her engine room: Ship’s Engine Room Posted by John at September 23, 2007 07:13 AM Post a [...]
[...] You have to see this! http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/th…-super-engine/ __________________ Hit the wave at a sharp angle and hold your beer really high, now when at the [...]
[...] Want to see a really REALLY Huge ships engine…http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/the-wartsila-sulzer-super-engine/ [...]
[...] fuel spilled in the bay was all to be used by the ship’s enormous engines during the long transit back to China. Had this ship been an oil tanker the spill could have been [...]
[...] http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/wp…mma-maersk.jpg http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/th…r-super-engine [...]
[...] Submitted Photos + More! Sponsored by: http://www.CarSpace.com/ [Found on Ads by Google] 5. Emma Maersk, A Look Under The Hood – World’s Largest Ship and Eng… The Wartsila-Sulzer Super Engine. Never Sea Land brings us the largest engine ever …. her [...]
it would be good to see a video of the engine being assembled
it would be good to see a video of the engine being assembled
[...] … http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/new-custom-classic-uniq... [Found on Ask.com] 20. Emma Maersk, A Look Under The Hood – World’s Largest Ship and Engine … .com/ [Found on Ads by Google] 5. Emma Maersk, A Look Under … Emma Maersk Shipyard Fire – [...]
Does anybody knows who produced the crankshaft ??
I would like to kno waht companie can produce such a crankshaft.
Does anybody knows who produced the crankshaft ??
I would like to kno waht companie can produce such a crankshaft.
When I attended the one hour presentation during the transatlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary II, I could find out nothing about the powerplant not even if it was turbocharged or a two stroke, much less the manufacturer. They laughed off my questions as too technical. They should be ashamed of themselves. I appreciate your publication of the technical data. Thanks .
Thanks for the kind words Doug. We are considering a cruise ship section here on gCaptain that would be written by mates and engineers aboard these ships. I think we have a real opportunity to give cruising enthusiasts a behind the scenes look at these amazing ships. Stay Tuned.
Thanks for the kind words Doug. We are considering a cruise ship section here on gCaptain that would be written by mates and engineers aboard these ships. I think we have a real opportunity to give cruising enthusiasts a behind the scenes look at these amazing ships. Stay Tuned.
When I attended the one hour presentation during the transatlantic crossing aboard the Queen Mary II, I could find out nothing about the powerplant not even if it was turbocharged or a two stroke, much less the manufacturer. They laughed off my questions as too technical. They should be ashamed of themselves. I appreciate your publication of the technical data. Thanks .
Thanks for the kind words Doug. We are considering a cruise ship section here on gCaptain that would be written by mates and engineers aboard these ships. I think we have a real opportunity to give cruising enthusiasts a behind the scenes look at these amazing ships. Stay Tuned.
If the Emma Maersk ever enters port of Surabaya, may I have a look in the engine room ?
If the Emma Maersk ever enters port of Surabaya, may I have a look in the engine room ?
If the Emma Maersk ever enters port of Surabaya, may I have a look in the engine room ?
[...] Worlds Largest Engine [...]
i see the web site is very use for my studies and the in formation u are shown is good
thank & Wishes
i see the web site is very use for my studies and the in formation u are shown is good
thank & Wishes
i see the web site is very use for my studies and the in formation u are shown is good
thank & Wishes
FYI, the Queen Mary II is equipped with 4 x Wartsila 16V46C engines driving generators. (the propellers are driven by electric motors). Each genset produces 16.8 MW, or, in terms of horsepower, about 22,500 HP, for a total of 90,000 HP or so.
Also FYI regarding the engine pictures above, only the photo of the whole engine is an RTA 96C. The other shots of the bedplate and crankshaft, pistons, etc. are not from a 96C. Not that it matters much, because they look very similar.
FYI, the Queen Mary II is equipped with 4 x Wartsila 16V46C engines driving generators. (the propellers are driven by electric motors). Each genset produces 16.8 MW, or, in terms of horsepower, about 22,500 HP, for a total of 90,000 HP or so.
Also FYI regarding the engine pictures above, only the photo of the whole engine is an RTA 96C. The other shots of the bedplate and crankshaft, pistons, etc. are not from a 96C. Not that it matters much, because they look very similar.
FYI, the Queen Mary II is equipped with 4 x Wartsila 16V46C engines driving generators. (the propellers are driven by electric motors). Each genset produces 16.8 MW, or, in terms of horsepower, about 22,500 HP, for a total of 90,000 HP or so.
Also FYI regarding the engine pictures above, only the photo of the whole engine is an RTA 96C. The other shots of the bedplate and crankshaft, pistons, etc. are not from a 96C. Not that it matters much, because they look very similar.
Need some help. This engine is too big for my boat!
In a smaller scale, I have an Internet site where I put some Cargo looking vessel virtual pictures. I need some Professionnal Seamen’s vision and approach to have a judgment on those pictures.
Would you please visit my site and give your opinion?
Thanks in advance and my best regards.
Eric.
http://www.coastaltrawler.com
Need some help. This engine is too big for my boat!
In a smaller scale, I have an Internet site where I put some Cargo looking vessel virtual pictures. I need some Professionnal Seamen’s vision and approach to have a judgment on those pictures.
Would you please visit my site and give your opinion?
Thanks in advance and my best regards.
Eric.
http://www.coastaltrawler.com
[...] hmmmm, no. Heres a I-12, which if you look closely, is two I-6′s bolted together More info: Emma Maersk, A Look Under The Hood – World’s Largest Ship and Engine | gCaptain.com __________________ I drive an Altima…with a CB antenna [...]
[...] hmmmm, no. Heres a I-12, which if you look closely, is two I-6′s bolted together More info: Emma Maersk, A Look Under The Hood – World’s Largest Ship and Engine | gCaptain.com HAHA, look at that intake plenum…. __________________ 2008 Storm Gray SE CC 4×4 MT: Custom [...]
[...] The Wartsila-Sulver Super Engine [...]
karalhooO
i have seen a vedio about Queen Mary II and i study marine engineering as well, the engines in QM II are diesel generators and the propellars are driven by electric motors. the generators are propably 4 stroke engines. i am not 100% sure of this information but i havent heared about 2 stroke diesel generators before. i hope i helped.
[...] Re: [Concours de moteur] [+ ou - HS] 12 000 000 de cm3 "Le Moustique" <lemoustic> a crit dans le message de news: 48faf7f4$0$935$ba4acef3… > kryll a crit : > >> Et le jeu aux soupapes, c’est tous les combiens ? > > Pas sr qu’il y ait des soupapes. Je vois ce que tu veux dire: ca pourrait bien tre un 2T. Comme ce Wartsila-Sulzer: http://gcaptain.com/maritime/blog/emma-maersk-engine/ [...]
Do You anyone knows a vacancy for start a carier in engine room, as a wiper . I have all qualification other than the experiance.Also i'm a Sri Lankan. I'll be please to here anything.
My regards to Captain John.I lack words to express my appreciation to you . YOU are really encouraging young people like me that , who are pursuing career in the maritime industry.
This website has given me a lot of information and kinled my interest over coming into the shipping world….. i am doing my third year of mechnical engineering now . can you please tell me what further studies would get me a better job in the shipping industry.. also post me the physical qualifications…
thank you
this article almost knocked off my seat!!! really! that huge piston is insane!
Please sent me new features about ship engines.
Hello Together,
Sorry to tell you but in the artical are some facts wrong. The first 14cylinder are built in Korea by Doosan and not in Japan. The engien isn't anymore a convential engine Type RTA but a RTflex like as a commenral diesel engine as in our cars.
Maybe some facts more for you the length of the engien is 27,3m and 13m high. the stroke is recorded with piston stroke of 2,5m and a max revolution of 102rmp.
Regards Marco
MAERSK EMMA…好大一條船啊
MAERSK EMMA…好大一條船啊