Germany’s LNG-fuelled seagoing vessel completes maiden voyage

Wärtsilä Corp. has announced that the first newbuild LNG-fuelled German seagoing vessel has successfully completed its maiden voyage. The passenger ferry features a Wärtsilä LNG propulsion system, which consists of two engines, two gearboxes and two controllable pitch propellers, and is owned by Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH.

The vessel will operate between Cuxhaven and the island of Helgoland, Germany. As the route is near to the Wadden Sea National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage site – there is a need to minimise gas emissions, hence the primary use of LNG and two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF medium-speed dual-fuel engines.

Dr. Bernhard Brons, the Managing Director of Reederei Cassen Eils GmbH and CEO of AG EMS, said: “We are very proud to be operating the first newbuild German vessel fuelled by LNG. Compared to conventional diesel fuel, this ship will produce 20% less CO₂, 90% less NO_x, and almost zero SO_x and particulates. Thanks to Wärtsilä's dual-fuel technology with built in redundancy, the vessel can operate efficiently and without restrictions in the Wadden Sea National Park. Furthermore, it was very important for us to select a reliable and experienced partner who was able to deliver a complete propulsion package.”

Furthermore, Wärtsilä has supplied its LNGPac fuel bunkering and gas supply system with the related safety and automation systems. In particular, Wärtsilä’s Cold Recovery is used by the vessel, which makes use of the latent heat of LNG for the onboard air conditioning systems. This reduces the amount of electricity used in cooling compressors and reduces operational costs.

Matthias Becker, the General Manager, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions in Germany, said: “This is a unique and very important maiden voyage that promotes responsible sustainability for shipping. We congratulate the owners for having the first virtually emissions free German passenger vessel in operation. Wärtsilä is proud to have supplied the integrated solutions package that has made this possible. This is one of the first installations anywhere in the world with Wärtsilä 20DF engines utilising gas-mechanical direct propulsion, making it both environmentally sustainable and extremely efficient.”

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/14122015/germanys-first-newbuild-lng-fuelled-seagoing-vessel-completes-maiden-voyage-1763/