Wärtsilä to supply bio-fuel powered engines for versatile deck cargo vessel

Wärtsilä has been contracted by STX Finland  to supply liquid bio-fuel powered main engines for Aura II, the multi-purpose deck cargo vessel ordered from the Turku shipyard last October by Gaiamare Ltd., part of the the Turku based Meriaura Group which specializes in the transport of industrial products and project cargo on the Baltic Sea and in Europe.

The 105 m long by 19 m beam vessel is designed for transportation of demanding project cargo, such as offshore wind farm structures, and is also suitable for transporting energy wood in the Baltic Sea region. It will also have oil spill response capabilities.

The vessel will be powered by three Wärtsilä 6L20 main generating sets, capable of operating on various types of liquid bio-fuels (LBF) fulfilling Wärtsilä’s liquid bio fuel specification. Liquid bio-fuels can be produced from various raw materials of vegetable and non-vegetable origin. The generating sets are also capable of using marine diesel oil as a backup fuel.

The onboard fuel system is prepared for regular operation with LBF, and the sea acceptance trials for the owner are to be conducted using liquid bio-fuel. The vessel is scheduled to be delivered in spring 2012.

This will be the first installation ever where a European commercial shipping operation is going to permanently use LBF as fuel. However, the Wärtsilä generating sets have the flexibility to be able to switch to marine diesel oil should the need arise. The liquid bio-fuel is produced at theship owner’s process refinery in Uusikaupunki, on the south-west coast of Finland.

“This contract clearly demonstrates Wärtsilä’s ability to supply environmentally sustainable power solutions without substantial impact on costs to operators and investors,” says Jukka Paananen, Business Manager, Wärtsilä Ship Power. “Our technology leadership in engines with diversified and flexible fuel supply options, and our ability to install a compact central diesel electric power plant in an engine room with confined space, were major factors in the award of this contract.”

Advanced training on the Wärtsilä engines will be provided to the operator crews at the Wärtsilä Land & Sea Academy training centre in Turku, Finland. Wärtsilä already maintains and services the flagship vessel of Meriaura, the m/s Aura, under a maintenance contract agreement.

May 23, 2011