EMEA News
Wärtsilä: LNG is No Longer a Niche Fuel for a Few Specific Types of Ship
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is no longer a niche fuel for certain ship types, according to Wärtsilä, who last week reported a new cement carrier being built at the Scheepswerf Ferus Smit yard in the Netherlands will be the first bulk carrier to adopt its multi fuel capability.
The vessel has been ordered by JT Cement, a joint venture between Erik Thun AB of Sweden and KG Jebsen Cement of Norway.
"The arguments in favour of gas fuel are so strong that it is no surprise that more and more vessel types are adopting its use," said Lars Anderson, Vice President of Wärtsilä Ship Power.
"LNG is no longer a 'niche' fuel for a few specific types of ship; nowadays virtually all merchant vessels can take advantage of the environmental and cost saving benefits that LNG fuel offers."
Wärtsilä says the vessel will feature its 34DF engine and will be able to operate on LNG and a choice of other fuels, including marine diesel, bio fuel, and heavy fuel oil.
"Wärtsilä has a well-established and proven track record in dual-fuel engine technology. The selected Wärtsilä 34DF engine is a proven and flexible engine, which should ensure lower emissions and competitive energy and operation cost," said Anders Källsson, Managing Director of Erik Thun AB.
In June, Wärtsilä said it was supplying dual-fuel engines for the first LNG-powered icebreaker.
