From concept to sea: how expertise and support streamline commissioning

 Commissioning is the quality assurance that a shipyard has installed the engine correctly and that the vessel is ready to perform as expected. The fastest and easiest way to achieve this is by partnering with a company that combines technical know-how with a service-oriented approach to guide the shipyard through every step.

At Dpower, selling an engine means taking responsibility for the project’s full lifecycle. Commissioning is not just a technical procedure but an essential step to confirm that each installation meets the required environmental and operational standards.

“Commissioning is like a final inspection for a house—it’s essential to verify that the engine has been correctly installed and will operate as intended in its specific environment,” explains Peter Thorne, Sales Manager for MAN at Dpower.

But the road to successful commissioning can involve addressing various unique requirements, such as ventilation systems, pumps, environmental standards, engine capacity, and fuel integration. Dpower’s team provides ongoing technical assistance with the goal of ensuring that there are no unnecessary do-overs in the commissioning process.

“To get to a successful commissioning, many details come into play. At Dpower, we don’t just sell the engine and leave the customer to figure it out. We follow the process and offer our know-how from concept to sea,” says Thorne.

“In some cases, we’ve arrived for commissioning at a shipyard, and there have been issues that we’ve been able to solve on the spot, where many other companies would just walk away. That takes a lot of experience and know-how,” adds Carl Rapp, Technical Manager & Aftermarket at Dpower.

Tailored solutions to meet high-demand requirements

Dpower’s commitment to supporting shipyards throughout the process is especially valued in demanding sectors such as military, governmental, and commercial marine operations. These clients have high expectations for performance, reliability, and compliance, making close collaboration crucial. Rapp explains that working with these clients often requires custom adaptations to fit each project’s unique operational demands.

“The shipyard will try to meet all the customer’s expectations and often asks us about specific details. Is it possible to use this pump? Can we combine this exhaust standard with that engine? And so on. The work leading up to even ordering the engine for a project like this often takes six months to a year, where we are answering questions and guiding the customer,” he says.

Dpower’s role often extends beyond standard installation and involves customisations that can include anything from fuel system adjustments to communication setups compatible with the vessel’s onboard technologies. This tailored approach is crucial in an industry where off-the-shelf solutions may fall short of meeting specialised needs.

“Clients in these sectors expect us to be ready with solutions for every detail,” adds Thorne. “That’s where our depth of experience becomes invaluable.”

Navigating regulatory and emission standards

With emissions regulations becoming more stringent, Dpower’s role in meeting these standards has become increasingly central to commissioning. Compliance requires not only technical expertise but also a thorough understanding of the regulatory landscape.

“A lot of the time, regulatory bodies don’t know how the engines work in every detail, so we answer their questions too, to ensure our engines align with all requirements,” says Thorne.

However, not all clients are required to meet these environmental standards. Government agencies, particularly military organisations, are often exempt from such regulations. Even so, many still choose to comply voluntarily. In a recent project involving MAN engines for a military vessel, the client opted to meet—and even exceed—environmental standards, reflecting the peacetime role of these vessels and a commitment to sustainability.

“When it comes to the navy and military , they sometimes want to follow emissions standards even if they don’t have to. However, they may also need to be able to switch off the after-treatment systems, such as SCR. There are a lot of these types of special requests to consider,” Rapp explains.

MAN commissioning for fast-going vessels

Another aspect that many clients appreciate is the extensive range of engines Dpower offers, as the company is becoming Sweden’s largest independent distributor of marine engines. For military boats and other fast-going vessels up to 50 meters, MAN engines are often the preferred choice due to their performance and reliability. However, Dpower’s portfolio spans engines from 6 hp up to 2,500 hp across multiple brands, providing flexibility for a variety of applications. In some cases, the engine choice isn’t immediately clear, and DPower’s strength lies in helping clients select the most suitable option from its broad range.

“We don’t push MAN engines if we see they aren’t the best fit for the application,” says Rapp. “If a John Deere engine is better suited, we’ll recommend that instead. That’s something that many of our competitors can’t do, of course. No one has as many brands in their portfolio as we do.”

“With both a workshop and in-house expertise, we guide clients through everything from engine selection to commissioning,” adds Thorne.