EMEA News
Maiden Voyage for Germany's First-Ever Newbuild LNG-Fueled Vessel
German power firm Wärtsilä Monday highlighted the maiden voyage of Germany's first-ever newbuild vessel powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) on December 11.
"This is a unique and very important maiden voyage that promotes responsible sustainability for shipping," said Matthias Becker, General Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions in Germany.
"We congratulate the owners for having the first virtually emissions free German passenger vessel in operation."
The vessel in question is a passenger ferry owned by Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH, operating between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland in the south-eastern North Sea, Wärtsilä noted.
It was said that the need for LNG on this route arose because of proximity to the ecologically-sensitive climes of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Wadden Sea National Park, requiring the ferry operator to minimise exhaust gas emissions.
The firm noted that a complete Wärtsilä LNG propulsion solution had been installed on the new vessel, including two 9-cylinder 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines, as well as two gearboxes and two controllable pitch propellers.
The vessel also makes use of the LNGPac fuel bunkering and gas supply system with related safety and automation systems, and the patented Cold Recovery System, which utilises latent heat from LNG to run air conditioning systems, reducing electricity consumed in cooling compressors, said Wärtsilä.
"Compared to conventional diesel fuel, this ship will produce 20% less CO2, 90% less NOx, and almost zero SOx and particulates," said Dr. Bernhard Brons, Managing Director of Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH and CEO of AG EMS.
In March, Ship & Bunker reported that experts at Boston Consulting Group believe LNG could command up to 27 percent of the global bunker market by 2025.
