Wärtsilä fuel flexibility supporting Japan’s ‘gas age’ shipping sector

A total of 16 new gas carrier ships being built in Japan for Japanese owners are to be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) or conventional diesel fuels. Wärtsilä’s depth of experience and technological capabilities in gas fuelled propulsion solutions, were cited as being key factors in the award of these contracts. The contracts were all placed between the second half of 2014 and December 2015.

The orders specify 20 nine-cylinder, 25 six-cylinder and 16 eight-cylinder Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines. This total of 61 engines that will be running primarily on LNG represents a notable expansion of Japan’s gas fuelled merchant fleet. These will be the first Wärtsilä 50DF engines delivered for Japan’s LNG carrier market. The first of the Wärtsilä machinery was delivered at the end of December 2015.

“We at Wärtsilä have always been at the forefront in making it possible, through our technologies, for LNG to become a viable marine fuel. This experience, our unmatched track record in gas propulsion applications, and our well proven dual-fuel solutions are why these contracts were awarded to Wärtsilä. We are honoured and pleased to be making this contribution to Japan’s ongoing shift into shipping’s gas age,” says Lars Anderson, Vice President, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

The 16 vessels have a gas cargo capacity of between 155,000 and 180,000 cubic metres. They will be employed mainly in delivering shale gas from the USA to Japan.

The Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engine

One of the reasons for the strong success of this particular engine over the alternatives is its superior propulsion efficiency. The clear environmental advantages that operating on gas allows, is another factor in the success of this technology. When operating in gas mode, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are at least 85 percent below those specified in the current IMO regulations, and CO2 emissions are some 25 percent less than those of a conventional marine engine running on diesel fuel. Additionally, the sulphur oxide (SOx) and particle emissions are negligible at almost zero percent.

Both the gas admission and pilot fuel injection are electronically controlled. The engine functions are controlled by an advanced automation system that allows optimal running conditions to be set, independent of the ambient conditions or fuel type.

Link to related information on wartsila.com

Link to image
Caption: A 6-cylinder in-line version of the Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engine.

Media contacts:

Mr Lars Anderson
Vice President, Engine Sales
Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Tel: +65 6265 9122
lars.anderson@wartsila.com

Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager Marketing, Communications, Marine Solutions
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com

Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2015, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 5.0 billion with approximately 18,900 employees. The company has operations in more than 200 locations in nearly 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com