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Small and medium gas carrier

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Diverse operations require flexible systems to maximise efficiency

Small and medium gas carriers generally transport liquid natural gas (LNG) or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), or other chemical products in gaseous form. Some vessel designs may be tailored for bunkering or ship-to-ship operations. Vessels in this size class need to be adaptable for varying voyage distances, loading conditions, and sailing speeds as well as varying power requirements for cargo handling and port entry and exit operations. Vessel CAPEX and OPEX are crucial to secure profitable and competitive business.

Gas carriers sail under variable cargo loads and with varying operational profiles, meaning propulsive and electrical power requirements can vary greatly. As a result, owners must balance the need to minimise a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) with the need to ensure that installed propulsive power is sufficient to cope with adverse weather conditions as required by the IMO’s MARPOL Convention.

Vessels carrying hazardous or pollutant goods are usually required to have backup steering and navigational systems in case of failure. Small and medium gas carriers also often sail in challenging waters such as channels or fjords, making a reliable propulsion system, effective steering capability and excellent manoeuvrability a must. They may also be sailing in environmentally sensitive areas with strict emission and underwater noise limits. In addition, port operations may take place close to urban areas where even stricter local environmental regulations apply.

Integrated solution for small and medium gas carriers

Hover or click on the symbols to reveal more information on the six parts of the integrated solution.

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    Small gas carrier DF-DE

    Wärtsilä dual fuel-diesel electric (DF-DE) propulsion system

    Emission reduction and operational flexibility are the main drivers behind the development of Wärtsilä propulsion systems for small and medium gas carriers. These highly adaptable, customised propulsion systems can be enhanced with a variety of advanced functionalities according to the intended operational profile of the vessel in question.

    A great option for this vessel type is a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that includes fuel-flexible medium-speed gensets, a switchboard and a propulsion motor connected to steerable aft thrusters, a forward tunnel thruster and a battery-based energy storage system (ESS). An integrated Energy Management System (EMS) ensures all the elements work seamlessly together, optimising energy flows to achieve the best performance in all operational modes.

    System operational modes for small gas carrier DF-DE

    Small gas carrier DF-DE

    Zero Emissions Mode
    Transit Mode
    Standby Mode
    Manoeuvring Mode
    Bunkering / STS Mode
    Hotel Mode
    Additional operating possibilities

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    Small gas carrier DF-DM

    Wärtsilä dual fuel-diesel mechanical (DF-DM) propulsion system

    Emission reduction and operational flexibility are the main drivers behind the development of Wärtsilä propulsion systems for small and medium gas carriers. These highly adaptable, customised propulsion systems can be enhanced with a variety of advanced functionalities according to the intended operational profile of the vessel in question.

    A great option for this vessel type is a hybrid propulsion system that includes a fuel-flexible medium-speed main engine, a geared propeller system, a shaft motor/generator (PTO/PTI) and a battery-based energy storage system (ESS) as well as an auxiliary genset. An integrated Energy Management System (EMS) ensures all the elements work seamlessly together, optimising energy flows to achieve the best performance in all operational modes.

    System operational modes for small gas carrier DF-DM

    Small gas carrier DF-DM

    Mechanical Mode
    Hybrid Mode
    Electric Mode
    Zero-Emission Mode
    Boost Mode
    Manoeuvring Mode
    Hotel Mode
    Main Engine Genset Mode

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    Medium gas carrier

    The Wärtsilä propulsion system for this vessel type has a main engine mechanically connected to a CPP through a one-step gearbox with PTO/PTI connection. This helps owners to balance the need to minimise a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and comply with the IMO’s MARPOL Convention while ensuring that installed propulsive power is sufficient to cope with adverse weather conditions. The Wärtsilä ProTouch Propulsion Control System offers a user-friendly interface and advanced features such as EcoControl. A GATE RUDDER™ can be added for superior efficiency and manoeuvrability and a bow thruster to further enhance manoeuvrability. 

    System operational modes for medium gas carrier

    Medium gas carrier

    Mechanical Mode
    Hybrid Mode
    PTH Mode
    Boost Mode
    Manoeuvring Mode
    Hotel Mode
    Main Engine Genset Mode

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    Hand-picked press releases

    Eight new LNG carriers will feature Wärtsilä reliquefaction systems

    Mar 29, 2023, 09:30 by Wärtsilä Corporation

    Technology group Wärtsilä continues to strengthen its established position as a major supplier to the LNG carrier vessel sector. Following an earlier newbuild programme in June 2022 for four new vessels, the company has now been awarded the contract to supply reliquefaction systems for a further eight ships. These eight vessels will be owned by various leading global shipping companies. The orders by Hudong Zhonghua Shipyard were booked into Wärtsilä’s order intake in Q1 2023.

    The selection of Wärtsilä solutions reflects the industry’s focus on efficiency and reduced environmental impact as a means for decarbonising marine operations. For each ship Wärtsilä will supply Wärtsilä Compact Reliq Single Booster (CRSB) reliquefaction system.

    “Reliquefaction systems are today becoming standard on all sizes of LNG carriers and our Compact Reliq system meets this need perfectly. The booster function implemented on the Compact Reliq systems enables us to supply a reliquefaction system with superior efficiency and lowest-in-class power consumption, which in turn reduces the vessel’s gas consumption,” says Pål Steinnes, Head of Sales, Midstream, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.

    The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered commencing in 2024, and the first ship is expected to be delivered in 2025.

    The Wärtsilä Compact Reliq system has been designed for both high efficiency and easy installation. The cooling media used is nitrogen, which in addition to being safe, also serves to simplify the system’s operation

    Wärtsilä Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on the journey towards a sustainable future through focus on lifecycle, innovation and digitalisation.

    Media contact for more information on this release:

    Elin Saure Hasund
    Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Gas Solutions
    Wärtsilä Marine Systems
    Tel: +47 91721144
    Elin.saurehasund@wartsila.com

    Image caption: Wärtsilä Compact Reliq module © Wärtsilä

    All Wärtsilä releases are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at http://news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded.

    Wärtsilä Marine Systems in brief
    Wärtsilä Marine Systems supports customers with high quality products and lifecycle services related to the gas value chain, exhaust treatment, shaft line, underwater repair and electrical integrations. We are committed to providing the latest and most efficient solutions, in line with Wärtsilä’s vision for a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.
    www.wartsila.com/marine

    Wärtsilä in brief
    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 their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,500 professionals in more than 240 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2022, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.8 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
    www.wartsila.com

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