Wartsila, RINA in LNG propulsion move

Finland’s engine manufacturer Wartsila and Italian classification society RINA have joined forces on a new offering that includes LNG propulsion as the duo looks to slash costs and emissions.

The propulsion arrangement offers “full redundancy, less machinery, lower capital expenditure, reduced operational complexity, and optimised fuel consumption,” Wartsila said on Wednesday.

The new concept changes traditional ship design thinking and offers a “highly efficient, future-proof alternative,” the statement said.

The conventional approach in ship design has been to use 2-stroke engines for propulsion and 4-stroke engines for electric power generation.

However, the new arrangement requires just two 4-stroke dual-fuel (DF) engines, with options for electric power back-up from batteries or a small DF generator when the ship is idle, according to Wartsila.

Finland's engine manufacturer Wartsila and Italian classification society RINA have joined forces on a new offering which includes LNG propulsion, as the duo looks to slash costs and emissions.
Image: Wartsila

The design can achieve a reduction of up to 50 percent from the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reference level value, and immediate compliance with the IMO’s 2030 targets, it said.

Moreover, the arrangement features Wartsila 31DF engines operating with LNG fuel.

At current shipping speeds, the system performance of the new arrangement provides at least the same, or better efficiency than an equivalent 2-stroke design, Wartsila said.

In addition, at slower speeds, it has the potential to reduce fuel consumption and emission levels even further, it said.

Most Popular

Shell adds another LNG carrier to its fleet

A unit of UK-based LNG giant Shell has added another chartered liquefied natural gas carrier to its fleet.

Chevron, China’s ENN seal second LNG SPA

US energy giant Chevron has signed a second LNG sales and purchase agreement with Chinese independent gas distributor ENN.

Venture Global gets OK to introduce gas to final Plaquemines LNG block

US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG has received approval from the US FERC to introduce natural gas to the 18th and final liquefaction block at the Plaquemines LNG terminal in Louisiana as part of the plant’s commissioning process.

More News Like This

Croatian FSRU heads to Turkish yard to add regas module

The 140,000-cbm FSRU LNG Croatia has left its Krk base and is on its way to Türkiye’s Kuzey Star yard to receive an additional regasification module.

Wartsila to support Alpha Gas LNG carrier duo

Finland’s tech firm Wartsila has signed a deal with Greek shipowner Alpha Gas to support the latter’s two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

Wartsila bags regas module gig from Hoegh Evi

A unit of Finnish tech firm Wartsila has secured a contract from Norway's Hoegh Evi to supply a regasification module, which will be installed onboard the LNG carrier Hoegh Gandria. Once converted, the FSRU will serve in Egypt.

Hoegh Evi, Wartsila develop floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker

Norwegian FSRU player Hoegh Evi and a unit of Finnish tech firm Wartsila have developed what they say is the world’s first floating ammonia-to-hydrogen cracker.