Seoul: Wärtsilä and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) have signed a cooperation agreement to develop gas-fuelled merchant vessels. The intention is to jointly develop next-generation ships with efficient and competitive propulsion machinery concepts that meet or exceed the demands of future environmental regulations.
The focus of the Wärtsilä and SHI joint study will be on utilizing liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel for operating vessels. This is especially relevant in Emissions Control Areas (ECAs). Wärtsilä's input will be related to the propulsion machinery, with particular reference to large bore dual-fuel engines combined with mechanical propulsion solutions. SHI will concentrate on the design of highly-efficient vessels incorporating fuel storage facilities and gas-powered propulsion machinery.
"Compared to conventional engines running on heavy fuel oil (HFO), Wärtsilä's dual-fuel engine technology offers 20-25 percent lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, 90 per cent lower nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions and almost negligible sulphur oxide (SOx) and particulate emissions," said Jaakko Eskola, Group Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Power. "We are the market leader in dual-fuel engine technology and deliveries, and our engine portfolio covers the majority of merchant vessel propulsion needs. In gas mode, our dual-fuel engines already comply with the IMO's (International Maritime Organisation) regulations which come into force in 2016," Eskola continued. [22/03/10]
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