Construction begins for Wärtsilä’s joint venture company’s new production facilities in China
A 50-50 joint venture between Wartsila and Yuchai Marine Power Co. Ltd., Wartsila Yuchai Engine Co., Ltd., celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony of its new production facilities in Zhuhai City, in Guangdong Province, China, on May 28.
The pact to set up the joint venture was signed in December 2012. The firm will make medium-speed marine engines for the Chinese shipbuilding sector. The joint venture firm will make products including the Wartsila 20, Wartsila 26 and Wartsila 32 series of medium-speed engines. Production is intended to start next year.
Bjorn Rosengren, president and CEO of Wartsila Corp., who was present at the ceremony noted that the combination of Wartsila’s industry leading technology and Yuchai’s position as the leading high-speed engine manufacturer in China, will provide strong competence in manufacturing, sourcing and market access.
Both the Yuchai Group and Wartsila are committed to building up the most efficient high-end medium speed engine production base in China by combining the strengths of both parties, said Yan Ping, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Yuchai Group. The project is envisioned to be a role model for cooperation between China and a leading international partner in the field of advanced diesel engines, he added.
The Wartsila 20, Wartsila 26 and Wartsila 32 engines are all well recognized in the market, and are famous for their reliability, fuel efficiency and low levels of exhaust emissions. Moreover, they are completely optimized for flexible manufacturing methods. All three are completely compliant with the IMO Tier II exhaust emission regulations as set out in Annex VI of the MARPOL 73/78 convention.