Low speed engines are the reliable and preferred choice as the main engine for ocean-going merchant vessels, such as bulk carriers, tankers and container vessels. In general, low speed engines are understood to be two-stroke engines covering the market segment for engine speeds below some 250 rev/min. Power varies from approx. 2,000 to 87,000 kW.
The state-of-the-art low speed engine design is optimised for IMO Tier II compliance, and the electronically-controlled ME versions offer such benefits as optimised fuel and lube oil consumption, and improved low-load running.