Wärtsilä 20DF engine chosen for Korean green ship project

A 38 m “Guideship” to be built for Korea’s state-owned Incheon Port Authority is to have a 9 cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engine. The vessel, which is being designed and built by shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries, and will operate in the Port of Incheon taking passengers on various routes. The Korean Government has specified that environmental sustainability be a priority for the ship.

The in-line Wärtsilä 20DF ordered for the vessel can operate on either gas or liquid fuel oils, and in gas mode is capable of meeting the most stringent emission regulations. The dual-fuel engine will have low emissions and will meet Tier III regulations when in gas mode.

“The IPA’s Guideship, which is a green ship, concept is tremendously important as it clearly represents an industry trend. We are very proud that Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engine technology has been selected as the most suitable solution for this project and we are looking forward to getting many more orders for coastal vessels and environmental related markets. The fuel flexibility that our DF engines offer enables not only environmental sustainability, but fuel cost savings as well since these engines can operate on a wide range of fuels,” says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Power, Specials.

The unique feature of Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engine technology is that it incorporates two separate fuel injection systems. When operating on gas, the electronically controlled common-rail pilot fuel injection system injects a very small amount of liquid fuel only. This makes it possible to conform to certain environmental restrictions that couldn’t be met when using conventional injection systems. The conventional system is used when the DF engine is operated on standard liquid marine fuels. The switch between fuels can be made automatically and without loss of power.

The order was placed with Wärtsilä in October 2011, and the ship is scheduled to be in operation in December 2012.

200G/T Harbor Master vessel
Over All length approximately 38 m
Breadth 8m
Depth 4,8m
Draft (design) 2,2 m
Speed approximately 15 knots

May 26, 2012