CLEANER SAILING

PROPULSION • FINNISH MARINE ENGINE GIANT WÄRTSILÄ IS TAKING A LEAD IN DECARBONISING THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY, WITH NEW ORDERS RECEIVED IN THE CHEMICAL AND GAS TANKER MARKETS

SWEDEN-BASED TANKER owner Erik Thun has selected advanced engines from Wärtsilä to power the four new 7,999-dwt ‘R-class’ chemical tankers it has ordered from the Ferus Smit shipyard in the Netherlands. The new ships will operate with the Wärtsilä 25 engine, a future-fuels-ready addition to the engine manufacturer’s portfolio.

The medium-speed, four-stroke engine features advanced technologies to help vessel operators stay ahead of the curve in getting their fleets ready for fully decarbonised operations. The Wärtsilä 25 also features outstanding fuel economy, low emissions and smoke-free operation at all loads.

“Decarbonisation is a key driver for our operations. It makes total sense, therefore, for us to select the Wärtsilä 25 engine,” says Henrik Källsson, deputy managing director of Erik Thun. “We recognise the reliability, fuel efficiency and compact design of the engine, and the option to operate with clean future fuels is very important to us. We are impressed with the investments Wärtsilä is making by developing these very modern and future-proof engines. We believe the Wärtsilä 25 is the world’s most advanced engine in the 2000 kW range.”

Nor is the shipyard any stranger to working with Wärtsilä, as Patrick Kuiper, mechanical designer at Ferus Smit explains: “We have had a long-term partnership with Wärtsilä and have developed a mutual trust over the years. We appreciate their brave approach in enabling the marine industry to achieve decarbonisation via these new engines that are capable of being converted to run on alternative fuels.”

“We have worked closely with both Erik Thun and Ferus Smit for a number of years, and our companies are all committed to raising the efficiency and sustainability levels needed to make decarbonised shipping a reality,” says Roger Holm, president of Marine Power at Wärtsilä. “These four vessels reflect that approach, and we are pleased that the Wärtsilä 25 engine has been chosen for them. This really is the way ahead for operators who wish to make the transition to future fuels as smooth as possible.”

Going For Gas

Wärtsilä is benefitting increasingly from the need for shipowners to look carefully at their carbon footprint and the Finland-based specialist in marine and energy markets has done well out of the gas carrier sector. It recently booked a two-ship deal to supply the cargo handling and integrated fuel gas supply systems for very large ethane carriers (VLECs) ordered by Iino Lines at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), following a series of ongoing deliveries of similar vessels at the year.

“We have great respect for Wärtsilä as a provider of high-quality cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems, which are essential elements in the design of these ships,” says Sangryul Kim, vice-president of HHI. “In today’s maritime market, close cooperation with trusted partners is increasingly important for ensuring that projects are completed in the most efficient way possible.”

Wärtsilä is also partnering with Höegh LNG, the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE), University of South-East Norway, Sustainable Energy and BASF in a project to develop ammonia as a hydrogen carrier for the energy market, which has recently been awarded funding of some €5.9m from the Norwegian government as part of its Green Platform programme of initiatives.

The project is designed to enhance the availability of large-scale storage and transportation capabilities of clean energy. “This important project is a natural extension of the investments and efforts made by Wärtsilä to accelerate the use of decarbonised energy,” says Walter Reggente, vice-president of Wärtsilä Gas Solutions. “Hydrogen will play a considerable role in future renewable fuel consumption, and there is a clear need for the development of ammonia as a storage and transportation carrier for hydrogen. We are grateful to the Norwegian government for its support and funding, and we appreciate also the cooperation of Höegh LNG and our other partners in making this project possible.” www.wartsila.com