Wärtsilä Natural Gas Fuel Systems Chosen for 15 LNG Vessels

A series of 15 inland waterway barges being built for Belgium based Plouvier Transport N.V., and which will be chartered by Shell Trading Rotterdam (Shell), are to be powered by Wärtsilä dual-fuel main engines. The barges will operate primarily on LNG. Wärtsilä will also supply other propulsion equipment and its LNGPac fuel gas handling system. The ships’ hulls are under construction in Poland.

In optimizing the efficiency parameters for these 15 vessels, Wärtsilä was able to draw on its experience from the two latest dual-fuel powered inland waterway vessels with Wärtsilä DF engines. The company also recently introduced a combined engine and thruster package that is ideal for the specific demands of river and inland waterway operation.

Shell will use these 360 ft. long barges to support its growing operations in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) and Rhinetrack (Germany/Switzerland) regions. The specified requirements were for environmental compliance, reliability, fuel flexibility, low operational costs, and a proven concept. The development of LNG as a cleaner fuel for shipping is supported by Shell, and these innovative new vessels represent an important endorsement of this support. They will also enhance the safety and efficiency performance of the company’s fleet.

For each barge, the full Wärtsilä scope of supply comprises a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel main engine, a gearbox, an LNGPac fuel gas handling system (developed in close cooperation with Cryonorm), and a Wärtsilä propeller with an HR nozzle. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yards commencing in June 2016.