In 1977 the cooperation between Krupp MaK Maschinenbau, Kiel, and UBE Industries, Ube-City, Japan, started by signing a license agreement for the manufacture of diesel engines, and this is now extended by the license for the N 601 series including all types with six, eight, or nine cylinders, the cylinder output being 1,000 kw (1,860 bhp). The license agreement will be valid for 10 years.
The current planning at UBE includes the supply of an 8 M 601 twin-engine installation for a bulk carrier in the spring of 1982. The M 601 license will enable UBE to offer a modern and economical medium-speed diesel engine program from 2,250 to 12,300 bhp in Japan. These engines can burn heavy fuel.