Anniversary at mtu

mtu - Rolls-Royce looks back on 25 years with Series 2000 and 4000

In a press release, RR-mtu emphasises the sustainability of its old but efficient engine series. Not only do they want to move into a climate-neutral future with them, but they also need to develop them further, because there is no recognisable alternative to the "combustion engine" drive type on ships. Whether MAN, SAAB - Scania or other suppliers of diesel engines: the future of the companies depends on how we operate ships on the world's oceans.

With over 100,000 engines sold and more than 320 million operating hours, the mtu Series 2000 and 4000 engines are cause for celebration, says the company. The number of deliveries totalling 117,000 all over the world is impressive, making them the best-selling engine series. Unveiled for the first time at the Hamburg SMM boat show in October 1996, the 4000 diesel engines were the first type to be equipped with common rail injection as standard - even before this was used in the automotive industry, claims RR. Well, there were technically related predecessors from the sixties, e.g. the Mercedes-Benz 16-cylinder engines used in the Schütze-class minesweepers, but this type of mtu became the industry standard.

In future, these engines are expected to produce CO₂-neutral operation will be possible from 2023, but only through the use of sustainable fuels. a stationary gas engine variant for power generation has been available since 1999. Since 2020, the Series 4000 gas engines have also been available for mobile use and power two ferries operated by shipping company Doeksen in the Netherlands, for example. The mtu gas engines already fall below the limits of current emission guidelines (IMO III) without exhaust gas aftertreatment, they emit no sulphur oxides and only small amounts of nitrogen oxides.

The Custom Line 106 yacht from Ferretti will be equipped with an mtu propulsion system based on Series 2000 M97L diesel engines. Photo: mtu-solutions.com

The new mtu Series 4000 gas engines are already powering two ferries operated by Dutch shipping company Doeksen in the specially protected Wadden Sea. Photo: mtu-solutions.com

Series 4000 engines are used in yachts and commercial vessels. The EPA Tier 4 certification fulfils the emission regulations, taking into account the regulations of the various countries of use. These engines can be used in power generation plants as well as in dump trucks, luxury yachts or locomotives. The smaller Series 2000 also has a wide range of possible applications. Like the Series 4000, it drives yachts, ferries, construction site vehicles, dump trucks or power generators that require less power. The Series 4000 is available with 8, 12, 16 and 20 cylinders with 720 to 4,300 kilowatts of power. The 2000 series is available in variants with 8, 10, 12, 16 and 18 cylinders and has an output of 452 to 1,939 kilowatts, depending on the model. Both engines have a standardised platform and are specified for their respective applications on this basis.

Find out what else the maritime industry in Baden Württenberg and Bavaria has to offer in issue 12 of marineforum!