Wärtsilä to Supply Dual-Fuel Engines for Norwegian Tugs

Wärtsilä announced three new escort tugs, contracted by Norwegian operator Østensjø Rederi, will feature its dual-fuel engines integrated with a customized gas storage and supply system, also supplied by Wärtsilä. The tugs will operate primarily on LNG. The overall LNG system, which incorporates Wärtsilä’s LNGPac fuel system, a fully integrated gas handling system, and the Wärtsilä Gas Valve Unit (GVU), has been specially designed by Wärtsilä to accommodate the need for a compact solution. The tugs will be powered by 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines. The Wärtsilä equipment will be delivered during the first half of 2016. The vessels are designed to have a bollard pull of 100 tons, and will operate at Statoil’s Melkøya terminal near Hammerfest, Norway. Wärtsilä and Østensjø have cooperated closely to develop the chosen LNG solution for these new vessels. Østensjø Rederi is a leading provider of offshore services and operates a fleet of 28 modern vessels. The company’s tugboats currently operate at four terminals located in Norway, England and Ireland. The group has offices in Norway, the UK, Ireland and Malta.