Wärtsilä Fuel Conversions

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Fuel conversion gives your ship fuel flexibility

In the short term, ship owners can comply to IMO’s CO2 targets by optimising vessel operations and implementing efficiency-boosting technologies. But IMO's tough targets for 2030, 2040, and 2050 require extra effort. Switching to an alternative future fuel and investing in fuel flexibility immediately cut the carbon, SOx and NOx emissions. It will also achieve compliance with regulations such as EEXI.

When investigating a fuel conversion for an existing ship, there are five important considerations.

Ensure the success of your conversion

How to succeed in marine fuel conversion? Five things to take into account with a marine fuel conversion in this handy eGuide.

Download the eGuide now!

The number of available fuels will increase

Investing in fuel flexibility and the combustion engine will mitigate compliance and business risks introduced by future fuels. There is no one single future fuel – there will be a whole variety of fuels in use. To power the shipping in the future, Wärtsilä is investigating wide range of fuels and developing a wide range of engine and fuel gas supply systems to help ship owners navigate the route to reduced GHG emissions – whatever fuels are chosen. 

Fuel conversions – complete systems regardless of fuel


Wärtsilä has the technology needed to use most future fuels today and development is on-going for others. We are also investing heavily in developing fuel conversion and retrofit solutions. There are already a variety of retrofit solutions that can be implemented on both 4-stroke and 2-stroke engines.

Sustainable fuels for shipping by 2050 – the 3 key elements of success

How to decrease the environmental footprint of shipping? What are the key actions that will keep the shipping industry on course to achieve net-zero by 2050?

Download this research-backed report on future fuels in the marine industry to find out:

Download now

Find the best way to adopt alternative fuels for your vessel fleet

Are you thinking about adopting future fuels for your vessels but unsure how to start? Perhaps you need to know whether to convert your existing vessel to run on alternative fuels, or to invest in a newbuild.

For an existing vessel, the study outlines the modifications needed to accommodate engines capable of combusting your future fuel of choice as well as the related fuel storage and auxiliary systems. The study includes preliminary engineering drawings for the layout of the key equipment needed and key piping diagrams as well as a written report providing valuable high-level information on the conversion.

What does a feasibility study include?

  • Engine conversion plan
  • Recommended solutions for fuel storage onboard
  • Estimated structural modifications for the vessel
  • High-level weight change calculations
  • Automation and control system modifications
  • Operational comparisons of using alternative fuel vs diesel
  • A preliminary high-level cost estimate and project schedule
  • Risk assessment.

Interested in learning how sustainable fuels could work for your vessel or fleet? Complete this form and a Wärtsilä expert will get in touch with you to start the discussion.

Request your feasibility study

The only way an asset can return value beyond 2030 is if it can adapt to low-carbon and green fuels. Fuel flexibility is the key to enable this transition.

Stefan Nysjö, Vice President, Power Supply at Wärtsilä

Get more information from our references

  • Stena Germanica banner 1
    Stena Germanica

    The first ship in the world to run on methanol as a marine fuel

    Read more
  • Bit Viking
    Bit Viking

    In 2011, the first ever marine conversion of Wärtsilä 46 engines to Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel engines was carried out on the product tanker Bit Viking, owned by Tarbit Shipping of Sweden. It also represented the first Wärtsilä 50DF dual-fuel marine installation with mechanical propulsion.

    Read more

Articles

20 Feb 2023 · Article
7 min read
Methanol as marine fuel – is it the solution you are looking for?
What are the advantages of methanol as marine fuel? What are the issues that ship...
21 Mar 2024 · Article
5 min read
Future fuels A to Z – 19 best picks on future marine fuel technology
The 19 best picks on marine future fuel technology to help you comply with...
Ammonia as fuel by Wärtsilä
15 Nov 2023 · Article
10 min read
Ammonia as marine fuel? It is easier if you do it smart
Adopting ammonia to fuel ships can decrease greenhouse gas emissions. How will it work? How...
Christoffer Björklund v2
18 May 2021 · Article
3 min read
Forecasting the fuels of the future
The findings of a new fuels forecast developed by Wärtsilä over the past year highlight growing demand for fuel...
Next port of call – the methanol bunkering station
6 May 2021 · Article
3 min read
Next port of call – the methanol bunkering station?
Clean burning, cheap to produce, widely available and with the potential to be 100% renewable –...
16 Apr 2021 · Article
4 min read
Time to take another look at LNG conversion?
Modern efficiency-boosting technologies can help vessel owners and operators put a big dent in their...

Downloads & links

Container ship on sea
White paper
5 pages
eGuide: Make your marine fuel conversion a success
Five important things to take into account with a marine fuel conversion.
LNG as a marine fuel boosts profitability while ensuring compliance banner
White paper
9 pages
White paper: LNG as a marine fuel boosts profitability while ensuring compliance
The choice of fuel is an increasingly important decision for ship...
Path to IMO 2050 banner
6 Aug 2020 · Webinar
Path to IMO 2050 and the role of LNG as a marine fuel
LNG as the transition fuel to the decarbonized shipping and should include the safety,...