Wärtsilä delivers integrated hybrid solutions for small and medium gas carriers, helping owners achieve efficiency, compliance, and long-term flexibility. Our offering covers LNG, LPG, and multi-gas vessels, with a special focus on LNG bunkering vessels, a fast-growing segment in global shipping.
Whether you operate a regional LNG carrier, LNG bunkering vessel, or a multi-purpose gas transporter, Wärtsilä helps you cut operating costs, reduce emissions, and prepare for future fuels. Our modular approach combines the following into one optimised system:
One optimised system will help your vessel stay competitive for decades.
With Wärtsilä, you gain proven technology, lifecycle support, and the confidence that your ship meets today’s environmental rules and tomorrow’s challenges.
Explore Wärtsilä’s most trusted solutions for small and medium gas carriers. Each combines innovative technology with real-world performance to help you cut costs, reduce emissions, and stay future-ready.
To meet IMO and regional decarbonisation targets, Wärtsilä offers a fully integrated solution for small and medium gas carriers. It optimises efficiency and minimises emissions across all operating profiles.
Wärtsilä’s hybrid system HY improves overall efficiency and reliability while reducing installed mechanical power. This helps you achieve a lower EEDI and stay compliant with current and future CII targets. Flexible propulsion means longer lifetime and lower emissions even under variable conditions.
The main engine connects to a controllable pitch propeller CPP via a gearbox with PTO/PTI options. This set-up can adapt to energy efficiency rules and requires minimum power in harsh weather. Wärtsilä ProTouch™ makes control simple, while Gate Rudders and bow thrusters boost manoeuvrability and fuel economy.
Wärtsilä’s 4-stroke medium-speed engine offers unmatched fuel flexibility—it can consume boil-off gas (BOG) directly. Our portfolio includes engines that are ready for future fuels such as ammonia or methanol. Advanced mountings reduce vibration and underwater noise, and exhaust aftertreatment options help you meet emissions regulations.
Power is managed through an AC system with a DC Hub. A variable-speed shaft generator provides efficient power during sailing and can drive the bow thruster without affecting propulsion. Shore connection in port and auxiliary gensets ensure backup power when needed.
Our solutions can adapt to multiple fuels, from conventional liquids and LNG to future fuels such as ammonia or methanol. Compact 4-stroke engines save space compared to 2-stroke designs, which gives you flexibility for future fuel storage requirements.
The Energy Storage System ESS connects to the DC Hub to enable hybrid functionality for propulsion and cargo handling. It supports spinning reserve, reduces genset running hours, and can be sized to your vessel’s operating profile. Thanks to the DC Hub, adding solar panels or fuel cells later is simple.
LNG bunkering vessels are essential for supplying cleaner fuel to ships. They spend much of their time in harbour or during ship-to-ship transfers, where efficiency and low emissions are critical. Wärtsilä’s integrated package combines hybrid-electric propulsion with advanced cargo handling and boil-off gas management to make these operations safe, sustainable, and cost-effective.
Our approach reduces fuel use, cuts methane slip, and ensures compliance with strict port regulations. It also gives you flexibility for future fuels, so your investment remains competitive for decades.
Integrated systems
Complete power system including engines, catalyst systems, propulsion, fuel supply system and energy saving devices.
Hybrid-electric propulsion
Dual-fuel engines with Energy Storage and Management for zero-emission port windows and smoother power profiles.
Future fuels
Modular design supports ammonia, methanol, and easy integration of fuel cells or solar power.
Gas carriers operate under very different conditions, from harbour manoeuvring to long-distance sailing. Because Wärtsilä’s integrated solutions are designed to optimise efficiency and reliability across operational modes, your vessel will perform economically and safely.
Small gas carrier DF-DE
This setup uses multiple dual-fuel gensets to power propulsion and onboard systems. It offers flexibility for vessels that spend more time in port or short voyages. Wärtsilä’s hybrid option adds batteries and energy management to reduce fuel use, cut emissions, and provide zero-emission windows during harbour operations.
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Small gas carrier DF-DM
Here, a main engine drives the propeller directly, supported by auxiliary gensets for hotel loads and cargo pumps. Wärtsilä’s solution improves efficiency with PTO/PTI options and hybrid integration, so you can recover energy and reduce running hours. This means lower operating costs and compliance with tightening efficiency rules.
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Medium gas carrier
Medium carriers often sail longer routes and face variable cargo loads. Wärtsilä combines dual-fuel engines with hybrid-electric technology to keep power stable and emissions low. Energy storage supports peak shaving and spinning reserve, while modular design makes future fuel upgrades simple.
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Wärtsilä’s innovative technology can ensure that gas carriers are efficient and future-ready. An excellent example is the Spanish operator Grupo Ibaizabal, a decarbonisation pioneer in the LNG bunkering vessel segment.
Wärtsilä 25DF engines with NextDF technology achieve dramatic reduction in methane slip, lowering the risk of FuelEU Maritime penalties.
Technology group Wärtsilä, in partnership with Chevron Shipping Company LLC plans to convert one engine on six of Chevron Transport Corporation Ltd.’s LNG Carriers from dual-fuel (DF) to spark gas (SG) operation. The conversions are intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by lowering methane slip in support of Chevron Shipping’s broader efforts to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations. This marine industry first was made possible after two years of collaboration between the companies. The order for the first two vessels was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2024.
LNG, when burned as a fuel, results in small amounts of methane that may not fully combust leading to methane escaping into the atmosphere, referred to as methane slip. Methane exists in the atmosphere for a shorter time than CO₂ but traps approximately 25–30* times more heat over a 100-year period. Addressing methane emissions is a key part of lowering carbon intensity. Wärtsilä’s 50DF to SG conversion project is designed to modify the engines in service to operate as SG, using spark ignition versus diesel pilot fuel to initiate combustion. This enables a more optimised combustion process, thereby reducing the methane slip and improving efficiency.
"Chevron Shipping aims to reduce methane emissions intensity of our LNG fleet in support of a lower carbon future," says Barbara Pickering, President of Chevron Shipping. "We are pleased to collaborate with Wärtsilä in this industry first. This demonstrates steps we are taking to reduce the carbon intensity of marine transportation."
"This innovative project represents a notable step forward on the road to advancing lower carbon fleets," said Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation. “Wärtsilä has an extensive track-record in reducing methane slip from LNG-fuelled engines, not only as newbuild solutions, but also through retrofitting existing installations.”
This new technology complements Wärtsilä's extensive portfolio of solutions aimed at reducing methane emissions from vessels. With nearly three decades of experience in LNG technology, Wärtsilä is providing market leading performance both with the dual fuel flexibility provided by the DF engine, as well as with the single fuel SG engine.
Media contacts:
Isabella Alder
Positioning and Strategic Communications Manager, Wärtsilä Marine
Tel: +44 (0) 7792 681 757
marine.media@wartsila.com
Christine Dobbyn
External Affairs Advisor, Chevron
Tel: +1 281-906-1499
christinedobbyn@chevron.com
Image caption: Wärtsilä, in partnership with Chevron Shipping Company LLC plans to convert one engine on six of Chevron Transport Corporation Ltd.’s LNG Carriers from dual-fuel (DF) to spark gas (SG) operation. © Chevron Shipping
Use of the image(s) is allowed only in connection with the contents of this press release. Wärtsilä images are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/image-bank.
About Wärtsilä
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,800 professionals in more than 280 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2023, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.0 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
About Wärtsilä Marine
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion, and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime's transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities, and our planet.
www.wartsila.com/marine
About Chevron
Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies. We believe affordable, reliable and ever cleaner energy is essential to enabling human progress. Chevron produces crude oil and natural gas; manufactures transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and additives; and develops technologies that enhance our business and the industry. We aim to grow our oil and gas business, lower the carbon intensity of our operations and grow lower carbon businesses in renewable fuels, carbon capture and offsets, hydrogen and other emerging technologies. More information about Chevron is available at www.chevron.com.
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