Wärtsilä to power the UK’s first dual-fuel newbuilds

Wärtsilä Corp. has announced that it will provide fully featured integrated propulsion machinery packages for the UK’s first domestic, dual-fuel, newbuild vessels. The two 102 m long Ro-Ro passenger ferries are being constructed for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL), which is based in Port Glasgow, Scotland. They will be built by Ferguson Marine Engineering Ltd in its shipyard on the River Clyde in Glasgow.

The Managing Director of Ferguson, Liam Campbell, said: “This project highlights the fact that high-end, technologically advanced commercial shipbuilding is again present in Scotland. We value Wärtsilä’s contribution as an important partner, not only in providing us with the latest dual-fuel technologies, but also through its comprehensive range of project support competences. The project is at the forefront of marine engineering within the global ferry sector.”

The Vice President, Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, Aaron Bresnahan, added: “Wärtsilä is proud to have been selected as the major machinery provider for these new ferries, which represent a significant milestone for the British maritime sector. These Wärtsilä solutions promote environmental sustainability through the use of the latest marine propulsion technology. By integrating the various systems, we are able to optimise the operational efficiencies, thereby reducing fuel consumption and minimising the vessels’ environmental footprint.”

Wärtsilä will provide each vessel with the following:

• Two six-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF main engines, which are able to operate on both LNG and conventional diesel fuels.
• Two six-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF auxiliary engines.
• Horizontally offset gearboxes.
• Shaft lines.
• Seals and bearings.
• Controllable pitch propeller systems (CPP), including the Wärtsilä Energopac optimised propulsion and manoeuvring system.
• Tunnel thrusters.
• Wärtsilä LNGPac storage and supply system.
• Extended commissioning and engineering.
• Twin screw dual-fuel mechanical propulsion driveline.

The vessels are expected to begin service in 2H18, and will operate on various routes along Scotland’s West coast.

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/09052016/wartsila-to-power-the-uks-first-dual-fuel-newbuilds-2408/