Wartsila said the two-stroke future fuels conversion platform, which it plans to launch next year, will allow for cost-effective conversion to alternative fuels, initially LNG, which it claims will have “negligible methane slip”.
The modular design has recently undergone successful initial engine tests in the Wartsila’s two-stroke engine laboratory in Trieste with MSC Shipmanagement collaborating as a key partner.
The next stage will be a demonstration project on an MSC containership.
“We have been following the development of this innovative conversion solution with high interest and we regard it as a supporting element in MSC’s journey towards net zero decarbonisation by 2050,” said Prabhat Jha, CEO & Group Managing Director MSC Shipmanagement.
“Together with Wartsila we have high expectations for the next steps of this initiative, which starts with technology demonstration on one of our larger container vessels with a Wartsila RT-flex96C-B main engine, and which will continue to make our existing fleet ready to meet future emissions needs.”
Wartsila sees the flexibility of the design as key with both time and costs for retrofitting reduced.
“Its flexibility means that the first step towards adopting the use of future fuels can be taken now knowing that the investment will not become obsolete. The benefits, both economic and environmental, are significant,” said Roger Holm, President Marine Power & EVP Wartsila.
The first commercial conversion project is expected to be completed in mid-2023.
Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Seatrade, a trading name of Informa Markets (UK) Limited.
Add Seatrade Maritime News to your Google News feed.  |
