The 28th CIMAC World Congress opened yesterday with more than 800 participants at Finlandia Hall in Helsinki, Finland, the biggest triennial event in the large internal combustion engines industry.

The International Council on Combustion Engines (CIMAC) is a worldwide non-profit association consisting of national member associations, national member groups and corporate members in 26 countries in the Americas, Asia and Europe. CIMAC covers diesel and gas engines and gas turbines which are used for power generation, marine propulsion and locomotives. Worldwide members include engine manufacturers, engine users such as shipowners, component suppliers, fuel and lubricant companies, research organisations, classification societies, universities and other interested bodies.

During the week, 220 technical papers addressing the newest technologies and development trends focusing on all aspects of the energy conversion process as well as the user’s experience with engine and plants in operation will be presented. The CIMAC Congress will also feature for the first time a Users’ Day on June 8 that will set the stage for the users to present, discuss and deliberate challenges and issues related to user experience in the industry.

Regulations such as the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and IMO (International Maritime Organization) Tier III emissions standards, big data and system integration are among the huge topics in the industry today, it was pointed out during the press briefing conducted by key CIMAC officials yesterday. The industry is looking to regulatory bodies and authorities to give clear directives, they said.

One of the most important sessions to culminate the week’s event is the final panel discussion on June 9 where prominent industry personalities will take the center stage to discuss the impact of falling crude oil prices to the shipping industry and engine makers. It will be chaired by Axel Kettmann of ABB Turbocharging, CIMAC vice president, communications.