Caterpillar Motoren Rostock GmbH is primarily a production site for medium-speed engines, but also undertakes further development and validation of new technological concepts. This includes the development of dual-fuel engines with reduced emissions. Members of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern CDU State Parliamentary Group were able to see this for themselves during their visit on 2 May.

The visitors accompanying CDU General Secretary Wolfgang Waldmüller (Member of the State Parliament) gained an insight into the efficient and high-quality assembly work undertaken by Caterpillar Motoren Rostock at the site. The modern plant with two large assembly workshops together with two multi-purpose and logistics buildings is located on a 70,000 m2 site close to the mouth of the River Warnow.  

The spectrum of services ranges from pre-assembly and main assembly through test operation and paintwork to packaging and dispatch of engines. For this, Caterpillar Motoren Rostock has installed two assembly lines and a total of seven large engine test beds. The plant is therefore technically capable of assembling up to 250 units per year. The assembly processes for all engine types are developed in close collaboration with the Kiel Planning Department at the Competence Center for ATPS (Assembly Test Paint & Ship) in Warnemünde. All engine types, from the “small” M 20 1,020 KW engine up to the flagship 16 VM 46 DF 15,400 KW engine, put together at the site.

On several Rostock test beds, it is also possible on to undertake electrical testing of complete gensets, that is, an engine combined with a power generator, up to a maximum of 10 megawatts. In the field of after-treatment of exhaust gases, Caterpillar Motoren is working on systems for reducing sulfur and nitrogen oxide, referred to as SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction).

A particular focus for the CDU Parliamentary Group was the development of dual-fuel engines at Caterpillar Motoren Rostock. These have arisen from the trusted and reliable MaK diesel engines and offer a high degree of flexibility in fuel selection. Dual-fuel engines may be operated using liquefied natural gas (LNG), allowing them to achieve emissions which remain significantly lower than those produced by comparable diesel engines. Sulfur emissions are completely eliminated, soot particle emissions are reduced by more than 90%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by more than 75%. Extensive monitoring of engine operation and the fuel system is facilitated by cutting-edge engine control modules. This also guarantees a high level of safety even in gas operation. Dual-fuel engines therefore represent a highly promising alternative for ship propulsion systems in the future. 

Caterpillar’s long-standing partner, Zeppelin Power Systems, is available for the customized development of dual-fuel engine projects. The company undertakes all work from project design and development, to construction, installation, commissioning and worldwide after-sales service. Zeppelin Power Systems has been Caterpillar’s reliable sales and service partner for over 60 years in Germany, as well as in many Eastern European countries and in the CIS.