Wartsila to Supply China’s First LNG Powered Tugs

Wärtsilä, the marine industry’s leading solutions and services provider, is to supply the main engines for two environmentally sustainable tugs being built for CNOOC Energy Technology & Services Limited, a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp.

The vessels are the first in a planned series to be fuelled by LNG, and will be the first tugs in China ever to be operated on gas. These will also be the first tugs globally to take advantage of the dual-fuel benefits offered by the Wärtsilä DF engine technology. The contract was signed in the beginning of July 2012 and the order is included in the third quarter 2012 order book.

The strategy of CNOOC is aimed at achieving more clean energy in its operations, and the Wärtsilä dual-fuel engine solution fits this profile perfectly. The low emission levels made possible by this technology is particularly beneficial for vessels operating close to population centres, as tugs frequently are, while the high fuel efficiency enables lower operating costs. These 6500 bhp tugs will operate along China’s coastline, and will be fuelled from the company’s own bunkering terminals.

“We are delighted to be co-operating with CNOOC in supplying the main engines for these gas fuelled tugs. It is a landmark project that is very much in line with the marine sector’s key targets of achieving greater sustainability with better fuel efficiency. We endorse CNOOC’s strategic move towards cleaner energy and the use of LNG as a marine fuel, which is precisely in line with Wärtsilä’s own strategy,” says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President Wärtsilä Ship Power Specials.

The vessels will each be powered by two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF in line dual-fuel engines. Delivery is scheduled at the beginning of 2013, and the first of the tugs is expected to be delivered in June 2013.

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LNG World News Staff, July 11, 2012; Image: Wartsila