Wärtsilä to Provide Propulsion Solution for 3 "Trend Setting" Dual-Fuel Tugs

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday January 29, 2015

Wärtsilä Corp. (Wärtsilä) Wednesday announced it will provide engines and gas storage systems for three new dual-fuel escort tugs.

The new tugs will operate primarily on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkers but will also have the option to run on more traditional fuels.

The tugs are being designed by Canada's Robert Allan Ltd. in conjunction with the ultimate operator of the vessels, Norway's Østensjø Rederi.

The vessels are slated to be used at Statoil's Melkøya terminal near Hammerfest, Norway when ready for service, and are designed to have a bollard pull of 100 tons.

Wärtsilä will provide its 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines as well as customised Wärtsilä gas storage and handling systems, to be delivered in the first half of 2016.

"These are trend setting tugs in that they provide environmental sustainability through the use of LNG fuel," said Carl Johan Amundsen, Project Manager at Østensjø Rederi.

In November Wärtsilä said it will equip the Middle East's first LNG-powered harbour tug with a propulsion system as well as other equipment.