Wärtsilä wins LNG-fuelled tug contract

Wärtsilä has received a contract to design and supply the propulsion and other equipment for a new harbour tug that will operate on LNG.

The 29 m long tug is the first of nine vessels to be built and operated by Drydocks World (DDW), as part of a ‘green’ initiative launched by the Dubai government.

Wärtsilä’s scope of supply will include the ship design, two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST), type WST-18 Compact thrusters, the automation equipment, and the Wärtsilä LNGPac system. 

Shift towards LNG fuel

Ibrahim Behairy, Sales Director, Middle East, Wärtsilä Ship Power, added: "The shift towards the use of LNG fuel is building up speed across the world. We at Wärtsilä feel proud that we have been at the forefront of this movement, first through the development of dual-fuel engine technology, and then by developing a full range of integrated solutions serving the complete gas value chain. This will be the first harbour tug in the Middle East to operate on gas, which indicates the growing importance of environmental issues everywhere."

The Chairman of DDW, Khamis Juma Buamim, said: "We are happy to work with Wärtsilä to promote a green image for our harbour work. Wärtsilä is a solution provider with vast experience and expertise in gas fuel systems. The company has a strong local presence and is capable of providing the support needed."

Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/18112014/wartsila-wins-lng-fuelled-tug-contract-1805/