In the first two months of 2006, Wärtsilä Corporation won orders for a further 16 Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines to power four LNG (liquefied natural gas) carriers contracted in Korea. These orders are included in the order intake for January-February 2006 published on 15 March 2006.
”Wärtsilä’s systematic efforts over the past few years have given the company an extremely strong position in the LNG sector. The dual-fuel engine has now virtually superseded the traditional steam turbine machinery and other machinery alternatives in LNG new-buildings. It affords us an excellent platform on which to continue,” says Jaakko Eskola, Group Vice President of Wärtsilä Ship Power from 1 April 2006. ”The undisputed advantages of reciprocating engines over turbines are their higher efficiency and therefore lower fuel consumption.”
Eight of the 16 engines ordered in January-February will be supplied to Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) for installation in two LNG carriers ordered by the Norwegian company Bergesen Worldwide Gas. The other eight engines have been ordered by the Korean companies Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, which are building LNG carriers for Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) in Japan.
LNG industry embraces the Wärtsilä concept
Wärtsilä entered the Japanese LNG market in November with the first order placed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), which will install four Wärtsilä 50DF engines each on two LNG carriers for the Malaysian company MISC. Japan is the second largest producer of LNG carriers after Korea. “This order is therefore an important milestone. The contract is even more notable since MISC is one of the world’s largest LNG carrier owner-operators,” Jaakko Eskola adds.
Jaakko Eskola emphasizes that “the large shipowners and shipyards have opted for dual-fuel engines technology”. Wärtsilä’s total order book includes 104 engines for 26 LNG vessels. These are under construction in France, Korea and Japan.
Orders also for smaller engine types
In addition to these Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engine contracts, Wärtsilä has also received orders for the slightly smaller Wärtsilä 32DF dual-fuel engine type. “Dual-fuel engines have so far been selected for onshore power plants, floating production, storage and offloading installations (FPSOs), offshore supply vessels and LNG carriers. Building on this success, we see further potential for applying the same dual-fuel machinery concept in other market segments,” Eskola states.
For further information please contact: Mr Jaakko Eskola, Wärtsilä Corporation, tel. +358 10 709 5634.
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä enhances the business of its customers by providing them with complete lifecycle power solutions. When creating better and environmentally compatible technologies, Wärtsilä focuses on the marine and energy markets with products and solutions as well as services. Through innovative products and services, Wärtsilä sets out to be the most valued business partner of all its customers. This is achieved by the dedication of more than 12,000 professionals manning 130 Wärtsilä offices in over 60 countries around the world.
This is the shorter of two versions of this press release. The longer version contains more technical information. Both are available at www.wartsila.com.
