NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Wärtsilä, the marine industry’s leading solutions provider, donated the main components of a hybrid diesel propulsion system to the Engineering Department at State University of New York Maritime College (the Bronx, New York City), at an unveiling and dedication ceremony in mid-October. It was the official opening of the Wärtsilä Lab on the SUNY Maritime campus. New York State Senator Jeffrey Klein and New York State Assemblyman Michael Benedetto were among the dignitaries attending. The total donation to SUNY Maritime College’s Engineering Department is valued at $1 million.
The donated equipment and support includes a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 medium speed diesel engine, reduction gear, a power take-in (motor)/ take-out (generator), related system equipment, tools, instruction manuals and instruction at Wärtsilä’s Land and Sea Training Academy in Fort Lauderdale Florida. This system combines diesel-electric and diesel–mechanical machinery maximizing system efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
“We at Wärtsilä are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with SUNY Maritime College, one of the premier maritime academies in the United States, training tomorrow’s engineers and engineering executives - the men and women who will lead the maritime industry in the coming decades,” said Frank Donnelly, President, Wärtsilä North America, Inc. “Maritime students, studying this state-of-the-art diesel technology will join the maritime community with a greater working knowledge of diesel maritime technology,” said John Hatley, Vice President, Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.
“The Wärtsilä 26 diesel engine allows our engineering students to work on a state-of-the art engine – similar to one that they will encounter when they are at sea onboard a modern day ship,” said Engineering Chairman Dr. Richard Burke. SUNY Maritime College president, Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, USN (Ret.), expressed her deep thanks stating, “Wärtsilä’s vision in this venture is far reaching in its global impact. Maritime College looks forward to a long and productive public-private partnership with Wärtsilä for many years to come.”
The next day, Wärtsilä and SUNY Maritime took part in the NASDAQ Closing Bell Ceremony at the NASDAQ MarketSite in mid-town Manhattan. Keynote speakers were Wärtsilä North America President Frank Donnelly; Wärtsilä North America Vice President Ship Power, John Hatley; SUNY Maritime College President Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, USN (Ret.); Consul General of Finland Ambassador Ritva Jolkkonen, and Gary Jobson, SUNY Maritime graduate, America's Cup winner and President, US Sailing.
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasizing technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2010, Wärtsilä’s net sales totaled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
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