Wartsila Qiyao Diesel Co Ltd (Shanghai) in Shanghai's Lin-gang Special Area is a joint venture established by Wartsila and the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute in 2005, with an investment of 11.75 million euros ($13.44 million).

Wartsila is a global leader in power system solutions for marine and energy applications, while the Shanghai Marine Diesel Engine Research Institute is China's sole ship engine R&D institution.

With China's shipbuilding industry rising on the world stage, Wartsila Qiyao's role in Wartsila's global supply chain is growing. At present, it is the only manufacturing base for Wartsila's 16, 20, and 26 series marine medium-speed diesel engines and dual-fuel engines.

Products of Wartsila Qiyao in Lin-gang Special Area, Shanghai. [Photo/Jiemian News]

Last year, Wartsila Qiyao secured major deals for over 90 dual-fuel engines from South Korean and Canadian shipowners at the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE). This reflected a new dynamic for foreign enterprises in China: leveraging China's well-established shipbuilding industry chain to localize technology while using platforms like the CIIE to connect with global buyers.

Production orders are scheduled until 2028, according to Yue Wen, the company's chief financial officer.

During the eighth CIIE to be held in Shanghai this November, the ship engine manufacturer in Lin-gang plans to launch an upgraded version of its next-generation four-stroke dual-fuel engine. The product features an optimized combustion system with higher fuel utilization efficiency and fewer pollutant emissions, designed to meet the increasingly strict environmental protection regulations of the International Maritime Organization.

Wartsila Qiyao will also showcase a new intelligent engine monitoring and management system, empowered by advanced sensor technology, big data analytics, and AI.