Press releases

The legendary ocean researcher and diver Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s research ship “Calypso” is currently being restored in France. Fully overhauled, the vessel will sail as the flagship for the Cousteau Society and help inform the general public about the seas and the environment all over the world.

Volvo Penta’s Aquamatic sterndrive is regarded by many people as the single most important innovation in the boating industry during the 20th century. It can currently be found in leisure boats and commercial boats all over the world. This year, the famous Aquamatic drive is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

With the IPS system, Volvo Penta has revolutionized the market for traditional inboard installations. With newer, larger drive units, the Volvo Penta IPS system is expanding with two more power classes: IPS900 and IPS800.

This year’s Volvo Ocean Race covers an entirely new course and will be the longest and toughest to date. Eight yachts will line up for the start on October 11 in Alicante, Spain. Each boat is equipped with two diesel engines from Volvo Penta.

Stringent emission regulations and high demand for fuel efficiency are behind two new Dutch inland eco tankers currently under construction. The power source chosen is a diesel electric system with five Volvo Penta D16s providing power for propulsion and all power supply onboard.

Interest for diesel-electric power within commercial shipping has increased in recent years, and the environmental gains are significant. With Volvo Penta’s 16-liter engine, environmentally harmful emissions are just a fraction compared with traditional ship diesels.

Volvo Penta has received a large order for industrial engines from DP World of Dubai. Some 95 new D16 diesel engines will replace the existing engines in the rubber tyred gantry cranes in the Jebel Ali Port. The result of the modernization will be no less than 40% lower fuel consumption and subsequently reduced CO2 emissions.

Pascal Jamet has been appointed new European head of Marine Leisure at Volvo Penta. He will assume his new position as of September 1, 2008.

Volvo Penta is launching new versions of the D1 and D2, the smallest diesel engines in its program. The biggest news is on the environmental side. Particle emissions have been reduced by as much as 50 per cent. The engines satisfy future, very comprehensive US emission regulations.

The first gasoline engines, fitted with a catalytic converter for leisure boats, have arrived. Volvo Penta is launching four catalyzed sterndrive models and one catalyzed Volvo Penta IPS gasoline model.