Shell LNG bunkering vessel to have Wärtsilä DF engines

FEBRUARY 9, 2015 — The 6,500 cu.m LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering vessel ordered by Shell from South Korean shipbuilder STX Offshore & Shipbuilding in December (see earlier story) will be powered by Wärtsilä DF dual-fuel engines.

The ship will be used to deliver gas to LNG fueled vessels in Northwest Europe. The newbuild contract is in direct response to the increasing acceptance by the shipping industry of LNG as a marine fuel. The engine order was placed with Wärtsilä in December 2014.

The new Shell vessel will be based at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, and will load from the new break bulk terminal and jetty to be constructed by the Gas Access to Europe (Gate) terminal. It will also be seagoing and able, therefore, to bunker customers at other locations. It will be powered by three 8-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines capable of operating on either gas or diesel fuels. The engines are scheduled for delivery in spring 2016.

“This new specialized vessel is an important step towards LNG becoming the fuel of choice for shipping in Europe, and Wärtsilä is pleased and honored to cooperate with Shell and STX in this project. LNG eases compliance with both the new and anticipated future IMO environmental regulations, and we are proud that our development of technologies throughout the gas chain is of increasing value to the marine sector,” said Mr. Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President, Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

“This specialized LNG bunker vessel is a pioneering new design,” said Dr. Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President of Shell Shipping & Maritime. “It will have a capacity to carry 6,500 cu.m of LNG fuel, and will be highly efficient and maneuverable. It will be able to load from big or small terminals and to bunker a broad variety of vessels. We worked closely with our customers on the specifications of this exciting new bunker vessel and will use cutting-edge technology. Shell is proud to be leading in the development of LNG fuel in shipping.”