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Wärtsilä has initiated a major project to further develop its low-speed engine portfolio to include gas engines, alongside its medium-speed dual fuel engines.

A new test engine will be installed in the Trieste engine laboratory in Italy in March this year. Engine testing will commence shortly thereafter.

According to Wärtsilä, the principal aim of the initiative is to strengthen the company's position in gas engine technology, and to further improve its competitive edge in the global marine markets.

"The marine market is today characterised by a growing awareness of the need for alternative fuel solutions that can reduce emissions while, at the same time, being commercially viable. Natural gas is currently the alternative fuel offering the biggest potential in this respect. LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) has also attracted some interest but is not a commercially viable alternative due to its prohibitive price," Wärtsilä said in a statement.

"In a shipping market with alternative bunkers available, dual-fuel engine installations offer the flexibility much sought after by operators. With dual-fuel engines, operators are free to switch between gas or diesel fuels, depending upon price and bunkering availability," Wärtsilä added.

Commenting on gas propulsion technology, Lars Anderson, Vice President at Wärtsilä Ship Power Merchant, said: "We believe the time is now right to further develop our natural gas solutions for the merchant fleet at large. Of course, we are aware of the challenges to be overcome as bunkering facilities are not yet in place for starters. A number of other practical challenges need to be addressed, but companies such as SeaCargo have led the way showing the market that it can be done. Others will no doubt follow.

"That is why we have started a comprehensive research programme, building upon our considerable past experience to develop solutions that meet the broader expectations of the Merchant fleet. 'Fit for ship' is the leading theme. This means reliability, in that our solutions must be ready for the seven seas, and commercial viability, both in terms of initial investment as well as operating cost. Naturally, the upcoming emissions limits are also part of the equation," said Anderson.

Over 40 years of experience in marine gas applications

Wärtsilä has many years of experience and the leading position in dual-fuel engine technology. Wärtsilä equipped the LNG Carrier "Venator" with a low-speed dual-fuel 7RNMD90 engine in 1973. It also developed and successfully tested a high-pressure two-stroke gas engine in 1986.

In the mid 1980s, Wärtsilä also developed its first medium-speed high pressure gas engines, the GD series, targeting land-based and marine markets.

In the 90's Wärtsilä added the SG and the DF series medium-speed gas engines. Of these, the DF marine installations alone have accumulated over 1,000,000 running hours, with close to 60 vessels in service.