WinGD, Wärtsilä, and GTT have agreed to collaborate in making the use of LNG fuel a viable option for ship owners and operators and to offer a streamlined approach for achieving compliance with environmental legislation.
LNG fuel is considered a key enabler of “green” propulsion for ships. It has virtually no sulfur content, produces 80%. less nitrogen oxide (NOx) and 30% less CO2 emissions than conventional marine fuels, and is competitively priced. With LNG being more widely available and accessible, it is now a feasible green fuel option, according to a statement by Wärtsilä.
In 2017, an advance in the acceptance of LNG as a marine fuel was recorded with an order by CMA CGM for nine mega containerships, each with a record capacity of 22,000 TEU [twenty-foot equivalent unit], to be built with LNG-fueled engines. These will be the first vessels of this type and size to operate on LNG. WinGD, Wärtsilä, and GTT cooperated closely in providing the required equipment for these vessels, which led to the collaboration.
“High efficiency and environmental sustainability are key pillars in building a successful future for shipping,” said Rolf Stiefel, vice president sales and& marketing, WinGD “This is why it’s so important to work together, with other industry leaders, to make ship propulsion as efficient and green as possible.”
“There is a wind of change blowing throughout the global marine industry. The conservative barriers that once resisted switching to a ‘new’ fuel are falling down, and LNG is now being accepted as a fuel for all types of ships. Through collaboration with other industry leaders, we aim to speed this process,” said Timo Koponen, vice president, processing solutions, Wärtsilä.
“Operating on LNG fuel requires close integration between the engines, the fuel cargo tanks, and the fuel supply and control system. We are three companies having expertise in these fields, and by cooperating together we can optimize this integration process to the benefit of owners and operators around the world,” said Philippe Berterottière, chairman and CEO of GTT.