EMEA News
Wärtsilä to Equip Middle East's First LNG Harbour Tug
Wärtsilä Corp. (Wärtsilä) has announced it will equip the Middle East's first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered harbour tug with a propulsion system as well as other equipment.
Wärtsilä will supply the ship design as well as two nine-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines and its WST-18 Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters, which are said to reduce fuel consumption.
In addition, Wärtsilä will supply its LNGPac fuel gas handling system for ships to DDW.
The tug will be the first in a series of nine such vessels to be built for Dubai-based Drydocks World (DDW).
"We are happy to work with Wärtsilä to promote a green image for our harbour work," said DDW Chairman Khamis Juma Buamim.
The project is understood to be part of an environmental initiative launched by the Dubai government.
"The shift towards the use of LNG fuel is building up speed across the world," said Ibrahim Behairy, Middle East Sales Director at Wärtsilä Ship Power.
Oman's Sohar Port and Freezone (SOHAR) last month revealed plans to offer ship-to-ship LNG transfers and LNG bunkering.
