Asia/Pacific News
Wärtsilä to Power World's First CNG Vessel
Wärtsilä Corporation (Wärtsilä) Thursday announced that it has been chosen to provide an energy-efficient gas propulsion system for the world's first Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vessel.
"The new vessel will feature a 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel main engine operating primarily on gas," the company said.
"Wärtsilä will also supply the controlled pitch propeller and gearbox, all of which will be fully integrated so as to optimise the propulsion efficiency."
The vessel, which will be operated by Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) when ready, is said to be the world's first CNG carrier, but it will also represent the first Indonesian-owned dual-fuel vessel.
"This first ever CNG carrier to be built is indicative of the growing importance of natural gas as a fuel for both land based and marine applications," said Sanjay Verma, Area Sales Director for Wärtsilä Ship Power.
"We expect that this CNG carrier will be a model for other Indonesian owners as the government's policy is to promote energy efficient and cleaner sea transportation through the use of gas fuelled engines," added Suryadi Mardjoeki, head of oil-based fuels and gas division at PLN.
The new 110 metre-long carrier is being built at the Jiangsu Hantong shipyard in China and is scheduled to begin operations, transporting CNG from Gresik, East Java, to Lombok in May 2016.
