World’s first LPG-fuelled VLGC features Wärtsilä fuel supply systemWorld’s first LPG-fuelled VLGC features Wärtsilä fuel supply system

The 2015-built BW Gemini, owned and operated by BW LPG, was retrofitted earlier this year with Wärtsilä Gas Solution’s LPG Fuel Supply technology, the first of 12 of the company’s ships to undergo the same conversion. Sea trials began on 20 October.

Wärtsilä carried out the system engineering and ship design for the conversion, which included installation of two 930 cu m fuel tanks with the pumps and fuel system, the pump skids, and the cargo handling system. Use of LPG reduces SOx emission by some 97% over conventional marine fuel, the company says, as well as greenhouse gases by 20%.

“LPG is powering this vessel while protecting the environment, and we look forward to demonstrating its benefits to the industry as shipping prepares for a future with zero-carbon propulsion,” said Pontus Berg, evp - Technical and Operation at BW LPG.

“World firsts are always exciting and we congratulate BW LPG on their commitment to pursuing the adoption of LPG as a long-term viable and sustainable marine fuel,” commented Kjell Ove Ulstein, director of Sales & Marketing at Wärtsilä.

Wärtsilä points out that its LPG Fuel Supply System is available as a stand-alone solution, or as an integrated element within the LPG cargo handling system.