Sign up
Log in Sign up
Tue 29 Dec 2015, 09:22 GMT

Dual-fuel engines for 15 barges chartered by Shell


110-metre-long inland waterway barges are to operate primarily on liquefied natural gas.

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.

Dual-fuel   LNG   Main propulsion   Wärtsilä   Belgium  Netherlands  Poland 
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) logo. ABS introduces nuclear-ready notation for marine and offshore assets  

The classification society has released what it describes as an industry-first notation to support future nuclear conversion of vessels and offshore assets.
AiP handover ceremony for NEXTGEN Energy Hub (NGEH) design. ABS grants approval in principle for Seatrium’s NEXTGEN Energy Hub design  

The hub concept integrates ammonia bunkering, power generation and electric vessel charging in a single unit.
Jumbo Maritime crew aboard vessel. Jumbo orders two methanol-ready L-Class heavy lift vessels from Dajin Heavy Industry  

Dutch heavy lift specialist Jumbo signs newbuilding contract for two 25,000-dwt vessels.
China flag. Zhoushan completes first bonded bunker operation at Majishan port area  

The operation marks full fuel supply coverage across all general cargo terminals in Zhoushan's port system.
US dollar banknotes. Port of Long Beach launches $1m methanol bunkering challenge for oceangoing vessels  

A $1m prize aims to kick-start commercial methanol bunkering at one of North America's busiest ports.
Core Power, Athlos Energy, Deon Policy Institute and ABS logos. Greece floating nuclear study finds no fundamental barriers to implementation  

A PESTLE assessment of floating nuclear power plants in Greece identifies framework gaps, not feasibility barriers.
Northern Pathliner alongside Bergen LNG vessel. Molgas completes LNG cool-down and bunkering for Northern Pathliner at Northern Lights terminal in Norway  

Operation carried out at Øygarden facility, with K Line and Integr8 Fuels in the supply chain.
Rendering of a G2 Ocean OHGC vessel. G2 Ocean expands fleet with six future-fuel ready gantry crane vessels  

Open hatch specialist adds vessels and jet sail technology as part of a broad fleet renewal programme.
CMA CGM Adventure vessel at Port of Mombasa. LNG-powered CMA CGM Adventure makes first call at the Port of Mombasa  

Kenya Ports Authority receives its first large LNG-fuelled container vessel.
Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Maritime trio shapes IMO safety guidelines for ammonia as marine fuel  

Real-world operational experience feeds directly into new IMO ammonia fuel safety framework.




   Fuels & Propulsion

Ammonia B100 B24 B30 Bio-LNG/LBM Biofuel Biogas Biomethanol Dual-fuel E-fuel E-methane/e-NG Electric Ethanol FAME Green hydrogen Green/e-ammonia HVO Hydrogen LNG LPG Lubes Methanol MGO Nuclear UCOME ULSFO VLSFO Wind power



 Recommended