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The Hercules research and development (R&D) programme to develop large engine technologies, which was initiated in 2004 as a joint vision by the two major European engine manufacturing groups, Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel & Turbo, is to continue with a new Hercules-2 project, pending approval under the Horizon 2020 EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

The Hercules-2 project is aimed at developing a fuel-flexible marine engine that is optimally adaptive to its operating environment.

The work is due to focus on four areas of integrated R&D divided into work package groups (WPG), as follows: WPG 1 - a fuel flexible engine; WPG II - new materials (for engine applications); WPG III - an adaptive powerplant for lifetime performance; and WPG IV - a near zero emissions engine.

The objective is that the work will build upon and surpass the targets of the previous Hercules projects by going beyond the limits set by the regulatory authorities. By combining the very latest technologies, and through the use of integrated solutions, the new project aims to achieve "significant reductions" in fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

The project includes several full-scale prototypes and shipboard demonstrators that Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel & Turbo expect to speed the development of commercially available products.

This cooperation between Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel & Turbo will also involve a number of other European companies, as well as universities and research institutions.

The consortium is made up of 32 partners, of which 30 percent are industrial and 70 percent are universities and research institutes. The budget is divided between industry and the universities on a 63 percent - 37 percent basis respectively.

"The project will further accelerate the shipping industry's transition to better fuel efficiency and a significantly reduced environmental footprint, while strengthening the position of the participating partners in the marketplace," Wärtsilä and MAN Diesel & Turbo said in a joint statement.

The original Hercules programme was conceived in 2002 to develop new technologies to increase marine engine efficiency. The three previous projects within this programme ran from 2004 until 2014.