OREANDA-NEWS. November 1, 2007. Wartsila and Bryansk Engineering Works (BMZ), manufacturing subsidiary of Transmashholding, JSC of closed type, Russia, have jointly signed a licence agreement for the manufacture of Wartsila low-speed marine diesel engines by BMZ.

Wartsila and BMZ recognise this agreement as a basis for a long-term cooperation for manufacturing Wartsila low-speed engines. These large marine engines incorporate RTA engine technology and RT-flex electronically-controlled common-rail technology. BMZ will focus on manufacturing engines of up to 82 cm bore size, with power outputs from 8 to 30 MW which are in most demand by the marine market. The first Wдrtsilд engine built by BMZ will be delivered in 2009.

In accordance with the agreement Wartsila will not only provide the Russian party with needed technical documentation, but will also arrange training for BMZ specialists both in its training centre and production sites.

With the new licence agreement BMZ will supply Wartsila engines to shipyards in Russia, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria. In addition, BMZ will provide Wдrtsilд with engine components required for the manufacture of Wartsila low-speed engines.

“The agreement with Wartsila provides BMZ with new opportunities for increasing production volumes and strengthening its position in the growing market of marine engine building”, says Mr Anatoly Zadorozhny, General Director of BMZ. “The demand in marine vessels of various types as well as the demand in main propulsion engines has been growing in recent years along with the total growth of world trade. Wдrtsilд is one of the world leaders in designing low-speed marine diesel engines. Wдrtsilд engines manufactured by various licensees occupy a significant market segment and BMZ is intending to contribute its share to this important part of the market.”

“By signing this agreement, BMZ will be able to supply Wartsila’s most modern low-speed engine technology to the shipbuilding industry and to provide an additional manufacturing base for medium-size Wдrtsilд low-speed engines to meet the increasing demand in local and export markets. With Transmashholding and its manufacturing subsidiary BMZ, Wartsila’s family of low-speed engine licensees will be expanded by a company with long experience and sound reputation in the market” said Mr Martin Wernli, President of Wartsila in Switzerland.

Wдrtsilд has licence agreements to produce low-speed engines in South Korea, China, Japan, Brazil, Vietnam, Italy, Poland and Croatia. Low-speed engines are typically used in tankers, container ships, bulk carriers and other large cargo vessels.

The licence with BMZ will also further strengthen Wartsila’s presence in the Russian markets and expand its offering by locally produced large diesel engines. Wдrtsilд has been present in Russia for more than 30 years. In 2007, Wдrtsilд registered a new full-scale network company under the name Wartsila Vostock LLC. The new company is based in St Petersburg and has branch offices in Moscow and Vladivostock. Employing more than 170 people, it represents Wartsila’s activities in the marine and power plant markets, for both new installations and after-sales service of existing installations.