Burmeister & Wain

  • Shipyards

Burmeister & Wain (B&W) is a historic engineering and shipbuilding company originally founded in Denmark. Established in 1843 by Carl Christian Burmeister and later joined by William Wain, the company quickly became significant in the maritime and industrial sectors. B&W is renowned for its contributions to shipbuilding, diesel engine manufacturing, and engineering innovations.


Key Points:



  1. Founding and Early Years:



    • Carl Christian Burmeister: The company began as a mechanical workshop under the management of Burmeister.

    • William Wain's Contribution: William Wain joined in 1865, bringing expertise and innovations, especially in ship design and production.



  2. Shipbuilding:



    • B&W constructed numerous ships over the decades, contributing significantly to both commercial and naval fleets.

    • The company became known for its high-quality, durable ships, which gained an international reputation.



  3. Diesel Engines:



    • One of B&W's most notable achievements was in the development of the diesel engine.

    • They produced the first operational marine diesel engine in 1904.

    • The company continued advancing diesel technology, which saw widespread use in maritime applications.



  4. Engineering and Innovations:



    • Besides shipbuilding and engines, B&W engaged in various engineering projects, including infrastructure and industrial machinery.

    • The firm’s ability to innovate helped place it at the forefront of mechanical and marine engineering for much of the 19th and 20th centuries.



  5. Acquisitions and Modern Era:



    • The company has undergone various changes, including mergers and acquisitions.

    • Eventually, it became part of MAN Diesel & Turbo, a subsidiary of MAN SE, and continues to influence the industry under this banner.

    • The legacy of B&W remains in the advanced diesel engines and the high standards of shipbuilding that continue to be recognized worldwide.




Legacy:


Burmeister & Wain had a profound impact on the maritime industry through its pioneering work in diesel engines and shipbuilding. The company's name continues to be respected in engineering and marine circles. Even as part of larger conglomerates today, the B&W heritage represents a significant chapter in the history of industrial and maritime engineering.


Ships

AFRICAN LEADER

Tanker for Oil | Flag: Liberia | Port: MONROVIA

AG VARTHOLOMEOS

Bulk Carrier | Flag: Panama | Port: PANAMA

BARU

Tanker for Chemicals | Flag: Marshall Islands | Port: MAJURO

KAREN ORØ

Car Ferry | Flag: Denmark | Port: ORØ

POLSKA WALCZACA

Bulk Carrier | Flag: Vanuatu | Port: PORT VILA

SINO 6

Bulk Carrier | Flag: Panama | Port: PANAMA

SOLIDARNOSC

Bulk Carrier | Flag: Vanuatu | Port: PORT VILA

Maritime News

Shipbuilding is a Leverage Point in South Korea's Trump Tariff Negotiations

Shipbuilding is a Leverage Point in South Korea's Trump Tariff Negotiations

3 days ago
South Korea and the United States havehttps://www.marinelink.com/news/hanwha-build-usflagged-lng-carrier-528214 been discussing a shipbuilding tie-up that could include investments to modernize U.S. shipyards and more help to repair the U.S. naval fleet as Seoul seeks better tariff terms, government and industry sources said.U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made revitalizing the aging U.S. shipbuilding industry a priority to keep up with China, has repeatedly raised the idea of cooperating with South Korea's cutting-edge shipbuilding industry.After investing billions of dollars in shipbuilding capacity, China is the world's biggest shipbuilder.
Shots Fired at Livestock Carrier in Red Sea Near Yemen

Shots Fired at Livestock Carrier in Red Sea Near Yemen

3 days ago
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Green Hydrogen Retreat Poses Threat to Targets

Green Hydrogen Retreat Poses Threat to Targets

3 days ago
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Shipbuilding: Bulk Vessel Deliveries Soar

Shipbuilding: Bulk Vessel Deliveries Soar

4 days ago
“We forecast that bulker deliveries will gradually increase this year and in 2026, reaching 41.2m Deadweight Tonnes (DWT) and a six-year high. Bulker newbuilding contracting was strong in 2023 and 2024, and several of the ships ordered during this period are expected to be delivered during this and next year,” says Filipe Gouveia, Shipping Analysis Manager at BIMCO.Of the 59.3 million DWT expected to be delivered until the end of 2026, the panamax segment accounts for 33.9% while supramax accounts for 28.3%. Ordering for these segments rose in 2023 and 2024 as they were benefitting from comparatively higher freight rates.
Hanwha to Build US-Flagged LNG Carrier

Hanwha to Build US-Flagged LNG Carrier

4 days ago
Hanwha Shipping, a U.S. subsidiary of Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean, on Tuesday said it ordered an LNG carrier valued at roughly $252 million from its own Pennsylvania-based unit Hanwha Philly Shipyard.Under the agreement, the ship will be built in Korea and flagged in the United States. It is slated for delivery in the first half of 2028.The deal comes as the United States works to revive domestic shipbuilding and expand its fleet of commercial and military vessels. Hanwha Systems and Hanwha Ocean bought Philly Shipyard for $100 million in December."This agreement looks to be a 'first step' in building out U.S.