Wärtsilä 20 marine engine
Wärtsilä 20 marine engine

Flexibility and reliability for a wide range of vessel applications

Get the facts: open the brochure

Wärtsilä 20 marine engines for a wide range of ships

Wärtsilä 20 is a compact, lightweight marine engine. It offers fuel flexibility and reliable performance in genset and main engine applications. It is available in diesel and dual-fuel versions, and the dual-fuel version will switch between different fuels during operation smoothly, without power interruption.

Who is it for?

Wärtsilä 20 offers outstanding flexibility, which makes it a great choice for generating sets in larger vessels and as a main engine for both mechanical and electric propulsion. The dual-fuel version is a great choice for many vessel types, including hybrid installations.

Ideal applications for the Wärtsilä 20 engine include:

  • car carriers (PCTC)
  • merchant vessels
  • small cargo vessels
  • ferries
  • tugboats.

Wärtsilä 20 – proven in use

The Wärtsilä 20 has proven its robustness and reliability with over 7500 engines delivered since its introduction to the market in the early 1990s. The engine can switch from MDO to HFO and vice versa without power interruption at any engine operation load.

The engine is available in cylinder configurations 4L, 6L, 8L, 9L with the power output ranging between 740 and 1980 kW at 900, 1000 and 1200 rpm.

Tug boat pulls a container vessel

Wärtsilä 20DF – small dual fuel engine

The Wärtsilä 20DF is based on the well proven and reliable Wärtsilä 20 diesel engine introduced in the early 1990s. Because of its fuel flexibility, the Wärtsilä 20DF can be optimized for constant speed generating sets, as well as variable speed mechanical drives, for main engine applications.

The engine is available in cylinder configurations 6L, 8L, 9L with the power output ranging between 870 and 1755 kW at 900, 1000 and 1200 rpm.

3D rendering Wärtsilä 20 marine engine

Key benefits of the Wärtsilä 20 engine

  • Excellent fuel flexibility – capable of running on a variety of fuels (including diesel and LNG) and switching seamlessly between them.
  • Low fuel oil consumption over a wide load range.
  • Optimised power-to-weight and power-to-space ratios plus flexible engine support arrangements for a wide range of vessel applications.
  • Proven and reliable with over 6,000 engines delivered.
  • Long overhaul intervals.
  • Low exhaust gas emissions
  • Low gas feed pressure (DF)

Wärtsilä 20 and Wärtsilä 20DF product guides, 3D models and drawings

Get technical data and system proposals for designing marine engine installations with the Wärtsilä 20 and Wärtsilä 20DF.

Fuel flexibility and emission reduction

The Wärtsilä 20 can operate on conventional liquid marine fuels (LFO, HFO or liquid biofuels) or LNG. Fuel switching takes place without loss of power or speed.

For vessel operators, a fuel-flexible engine means that it is possible to comply with the ever-tightening emission regulations. At the same time, operators will have the option to choose fuel according to cost and availability.

Adopting LNG as fuel can help you reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. To maximise the environmental benefits of LNG, it is important to minimise methane slip – the unburned methane that escapes into the atmosphere when LNG is burned as fuel.

Wärtsilä 20DF is a great choice because it cuts methane slip in two ways. Its combustion chambers are designed to reduce methane slip, and its combustion controls have been optimised.

Customer stories

Discover the benefits that others have gained from choosing Wärtsilä 20 marine engines.

  • a night-time image of a car carrier vessel
    Santoku Shipping

    Wärtsilä 20 dual-fuel engines enable Santoku Shipping to operate on LNG to cut CO2 and SOx emissions on its six new pure car and truck carrier (PCTC) vessels.

    Wärtsilä 20DF engines help to reduce SOx and CO2 emissions
  • Orion reference
    Offshore construction vessel Orion

    The world’s first LNG fuelled offshore construction vessel being built for DEME will be powered by Wärtsilä.

    Read more about the solutions
  • Viking Supply

    Hybrid upgrade for Viking Supply Ships sharpens competitive edge of LNG-powered PSVs

    Discover the hybrid upgrade solution
  • LNG vessel for Knutsen OAS Shipping reference
    LNG vessel for Knutsen OAS Shipping

    The latest development of the LNG infrastructure provides clear evidence of the increasing importance of LNG fuel to the marine industry. Wärtsilä has a lot of experience and know-how throughout the LNG value chain, and we are confident that their solutions are what we need for this latest expansion to our fleet.

    Discover the Wärtsilä equipment package

Case MS Helgoland

The MS Helgoland ferry entered a new era of dual-fuel operations with the complete Wärtsilä LNG propulsion solution, featuring two Wärtsilä 20 engines. Watch the video to learn how they adopted a new fuel.

Hand-picked press releases

Six new Sallaum Lines vessels to drive sustainability with Wärtsilä solutions

Apr 23, 2024, 11:00 by Wärtsilä Corporation

Technology group Wärtsilä will supply a range of solutions aimed at minimising the carbon footprint of six new Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels being built for Dubai based Sallaum Lines DMCC. Part of the order was booked by Wärtsilä in 2023 and the remainder in Q1 2024.

The Wärtsilä solutions were selected following a very stringent evaluation process, with sustainability and minimal environmental impact being a prime consideration. As a result, Wärtsilä, through its joint venture company, Wärtsilä Qiyao Diesel Company Ltd. (WQDC), was contracted to deliver three Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel auxiliary gen-sets, operating mainly on LNG fuel, for each of the six vessels. Wärtsilä was also contracted to deliver the transverse thrusters and the main engine control system for these vessels.

Then for four of the vessels, Wärtsilä will supply the shaft generator systems, which will reduce the auxiliary gen-sets' running hours while at sea, thereby further reducing the ships’ emissions and lowering operating costs. The engines onboard each of the vessels will be supported via Wärtsilä’s Data Collection Unit (WDCU) with cloud based services and remote monitoring to optimise operability, fuel economy, and periodic maintenance.

“Sallaum Lines is committed to sustainability and to reducing our environmental impact through implementing eco-friendly practices and reducing emissions. We are moving forward to a sustainable future by working to achieve zero emissions by 2050. This is why we have selected Wärtsilä to partner with us for these six new ships,” says Mr. Puneet Arora, Technical Manager – Sallaum Lines.  

“We are working closely with Sallaum Lines in their efforts towards decarbonisation. In addition to this order, we recently signed a Decarbonisation Programme agreement with them for two existing PCTC vessels in their fleet. This cooperation has further strengthened the level of trust between our companies. Together, we are aligned in our determination to enable the cleanest possible shipping operations,” comments Rajan Khanna, Head of Sales, Middle East – Wärtsilä Marine.

The vessels are being built at Chinese shipyards, four at China Merchants Jinling Shipyard and two at Xiamen Shipbuilding Industry Co. Delivery of the Wärtsilä equipment will commence in 2024.

Media contact for more information on this release:

Isabella Alder
Positioning and Strategic Communications Manager 
Wärtsilä Marine
Tel: +44 (0) 7792 681 757
marine.media@wartsila.com

Image caption: Wärtsilä will supply a range of solutions aimed at minimising the carbon footprint of six new Pure Car Truck Carrier (PCTC) vessels being built for Dubai based Sallaum Lines DMCC © Sallaum Lines DMCC

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Use of the image(s) is allowed only in connection with the contents of this press release.

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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 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

Wärtsilä Marine in brief
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

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