Wärtsilä wins order for first LNG fueled bulker

SEPTEMBER 12, 2014 — A 5,875 dwt cement carrier being built at the Scheepswerf Ferus Smit shipyard in the Netherlands to a new FS 5850 Ecobulker DF design will have a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF main engine, making it the first bulk carrier to adopt Wärtsilä’s multi fuel capability.

In addition to the main engine, Wärtsilä will also supply an enclosed Gas Valve Unit (GVU) for easier installation and additional engine room safety. The order with Wärtsilä was placed in August.

The ship has been ordered by JT Cement, a joint venture between Erik Thun AB of Sweden and KG Jebsen Cement of Norway.

By opting for Wärtsilä’s  dual-fuel (DF) technology, the vessel will be able to operate on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and a choice of other fuels, including marine diesel fuel, bio fuel and heavy fuel oil. In gas mode, the engine meets IMO Tier III requirements without the need of any after treatment systems. This is especially important since the ship will operate in Northern European waters, meaning that it will spend time in Sulfur Emission Control Areas (SECA).

“The arguments in favor of gas fuel are so strong that it is no surprise that more and more vessel types are adopting its use. LNG is no longer a ‘niche’ fuel for a few specific types of ship; nowadays virtually all merchant vessels can take advantage of the environmental and cost saving benefits that LNG fuel offers. Wärtsilä is proud to be a technology leader in making this possible,” says Lars Anderson, Vice President, Four-Stroke Sales, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

“Wärtsilä has a well established and proven track record in dual-fuel engine technology. The selected Wärtsilä 34DF engine is a proven and flexible engine, which should ensure lower emissions and competitive energy and operation cost,” says Anders Källsson, Managing Director, Erik Thun AB.

Wärtsilä has long standing relationships with both the shipyard and Erik Thun AB, having supplied a number of engines to these customers in the past.

The current vessel is scheduled for delivery before the end of 2015. There is a possibility that a second cement carrier will be built as part of this particular series.

The Wärtsilä 34DF engine

The Wärtsilä 34DF engine is available in 6, 8, 9, 12 and 16 cylinder configurations. It can be operated on natural gas (LNG), MDF, Bio Fuel and HFO. The switch from gas to diesel can be made instantly and without loss of power. The engine has no operating restrictions and features 0 to 100% MCR (maximum continuous rating) in gas mode. The Wärtsilä 34DF engine has the lowest fuel and lube oil consumption in its class, in both gas and diesel modes.

FS 5850 Ecobulker DF design

General cargo vessel with single hold, closed by pontoon hatches and full double hull.

Deadweight abt. 5,875 ton
Classification Lloyds
Ice Class 1A (Finnish/Swedish)
Fuel main engine dual fuel : LNG (ECA) / gasoil
auxiliary power : gasoil
LNG tank internal cylindrical tank of abt. 112.5 cu.m
Main particulars:
Length o.a. : 90.00 m
Length b.p.p. : 84.99 m
Breadth mld. : 14.50 m
Depth : 8.75 m
Draught max : 7.00 m
Deadweight : abt. 5875 ton
Draft design : 6.50 m
Deadweight design : abt. 5300 ton
Hold capacity : abt. 207.000 cft

Propulsion arrangement:
Main engine : 6L34DF, 3,000 kW
Propeller : single open CPP 3.75 m
Auxiliary power:
1 shaft generator : abt 230 kWe @ 440 V / 60Hz
1 generator set : abt. 200 kWe @ 440 V / 60 Hz
1 harbor/emer. Set : abt 95 kWe @ 440 V / 60Hz
Steering equipment:
Rudder : flap rudder
Bowthruster : 200 kW
Accommodation:
Comfortable accommodations for 7 persons, all cabins air-conditioned (single pipe) and equipped with private sanitary units.
Ballastwater treatment:
A ballast water treatment system is installed.

Cargo holds & equipment
1 box shaped hold. Tank top strengthened for 15 t/m2 uniform load or 20 t/m2 non-uniform. Holds equipped with movable grain bulkheads. Handling of all pontoon hatches by gantry cr

ECO vertical bow design with icebreaking bulb
Special bow form with vertical stem profile, sharp waterlines and less bow flare have optimal performance on flat water while significantly reducing speed loss in seaway. Slender bulb added to enhance icebreaking performance outside the broken ice channels.