Wärtsilä to power world’s first CNG carrier

FEBRUARY 5, 2015 — The 2,200 m³ compressed natural gas (CNG) carrier ordered from Chinese shipbuilder Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry Ltd. last year will be powered by an integrated Wärtsilä propulsion system.

The vessel will be the world’s first CNG carrier. It has been ordered by  CIMC ENRIC and designed by CIMC ORIC for end user Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the Indonesian state owned energy company, and will transport CNG from Gresik in East Java to the Indonesian island of Lombok where the gas will be used to fuel a power plant.

The new vessel will feature a nine-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel main engine operating primarily on gas. Wärtsilä will also supply the controlled pitch propeller and gearbox, all of which will be fully integrated so as to optimize the propulsion efficiency.

This will be the first dual-fuel powered vessel owned by an Indonesian shipowner. The Indonesian government’s policy is to promote the use of natural gas as a marine fuel because of its environmental advantages.

“This first ever CNG carrier to be built is indicative of the growing importance of natural gas as a fuel for both land based and marine applications. We are proud to have been selected to provide the propulsion system for this ship, which is designed with efficiency and sustainability as the main criteria,” says Sanjay Verma, Area Sales Director, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

“We expect that this CNG carrier will be a model for other Indonesian owners as the government’s policy is to promote energy efficient and cleaner sea transportation through the use of gas fueled engines. Wärtsilä has always been at the forefront of making it possible for gas to be utilised as a marine fuel, and has tremendous experience and expertise in this area,” says Suryadi Mardjoeki, head of oil-based fuels and gas division, PLN.

The 110 -meter-long carrier is scheduled to be in operation in May 2016