International
China’s first fleet of LNG-fueled PSVs will feature Wärtsilä DF engines
Wärtsilä has won the contract to supply 40 generating sets for 12 new LNG-powered platform supply vessels (PSV), the first such vessels to be built for a Chinese owner. The multiple benefits of the Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines were cited as the reason for the contract award over strong competitive bids. The ships are being built for China Oilfield Services Co Ltd (COSL) at the Wuchang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry yard and the Liaonan Shipyard in China.
Among the value-adding advantages cited in choosing the Wärtsilä 20DF engine were its high fuel efficiency, low operating costs and good environmental performance, as well as its low-load operating ability and proven reliability and durability. The order with Wärtsilä was signed in March 2019 and the 40 engines are scheduled to be delivered to the shipyards at the end of 2019.
“Efficiency and environmental sustainability are key pillars of Wärtsilä’s approach to creating customer value. The choice of the Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuelled engine for this major project reflects these values, and we are proud to maintain our leading position in this market by being selected for China’s first LNG fueled PSVs,” said Henrik Wilhelms, Segment Sales Director, Wärtsilä Marine.
“More and more ships are being built for use with LNG fuel, and we see these 12 ships as part of a trend that will continue to grow. This is why we chose Wärtsilä, a company with experience and know-how in LNG fuel solutions,” commented Liu Hui, Manager of COSL Shipping’s Shipbuilding Project Management Team.