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A series of 15 inland waterway barges being built for Belgium-based Plouvier Transport N.V., and which will be chartered by Shell Trading Rotterdam, are to be powered by Wartsila dual-fuel main engines.

The barges are to operate primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG). Wartsila will also supply other propulsion equipment and its LNGPac fuel gas handling system. The ship' hulls are under construction at the VEKA Shipyard Centromost in Poland and outfitting will be carried out at VEKA Shipyard Werkendam. The contract with Wartsila was concluded in December.

"Wartsila's strong focus on promoting environmentally sustainable solutions for inland waterway vessels, together with its extensive experience in developing capabilities for the use of LNG fuel, was considered a key factor in the award of this contract. In optimising the efficiency parameters for these 15 vessels, Wartsila was able to draw on its experience from the two latest dual-fuel powered inland waterway vessels with Wartsila DF engines. The company also recently introduced a combined engine and thruster package that is ideal for the specific demands of river and inland waterway operation," Wartsila said in a statement.

Shell is to utilise the new 110-metre-long barges to support its growing operations in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) and Rhinetrack (Germany/Switzerland) regions.

"The specified requirements were for environmental compliance, reliability, fuel flexibility, low operational costs, and a proven concept. The development of LNG as a cleaner fuel for shipping is supported by Shell, and these innovative new vessels represent an important endorsement of this support. They will also enhance the safety and efficiency performance of the company's fleet," Wartsila commented.

Bram Kruyt, Director Inland Waterways, Wartsila, remarked: "Wartsila's total solution capabilities, and its unmatched experience in LNG fuel machinery and systems for marine applications, are providing leading ship owners and operators with the added value they require. We salute everyone involved in this important project for their support in making inland waterway shipping more environmentally sustainable."

For each barge, the full Wartsila scope of supply comprises a 6-cylinder Wartsila 20DF dual-fuel main engine, a gearbox, an LNGPac fuel gas handling system (developed in cooperation with Cryonorm), and a Wartsila propeller with an HR nozzle.

The equipment is scheduled for delivery in June 2016.