Written by
Nick Blenkey
Picture: Wärtsilä
With the ordering of methanol-fueled vessels choosing up tempo, Wärtsilä is to introduce one other 4 methanol engines to its portfolio. Along with the Wärtsilä 32 methanol engine launched final yr, Wärtsilä will add the Wärtsilä 20, Wärtsilä 31, Wärtsilä 46F and Wärtsilä 46TS to its portfolio of engines able to working with methanol gasoline.
Methanol — and particularly inexperienced methanol — has change into one of many main various gasoline decisions for the delivery trade to attain internet zero carbon emissions by 2050.
In line with the newest figures from DNV’s Different Fuels Perception platform, the month of November noticed a complete of eight new vessels with various gasoline propulsion ordered . Amongst these, 4 have been for LNG-powered ships, whereas the remaining 4 have been methanol-powered. All eight orders have been within the RO/RO and automotive service phase. Thus far this yr, the platform has logged 268 new orders for various gasoline vessels, together with 112 LNG- and 152 methanol-powered ships.
METHANOL RETROFITS
Whereas the DNV platform focuses on newbuild orders, methanol gasoline retrofits are additionally getting loads of consideration and Wärtsilä says that, all through its diesel engine portfolio, protecting each new engines, in addition to these at the moment in operation, is growing the corresponding methanol retrofit capabilities. Methanol upgrades are both accessible or below improvement for the Wärtsilä 31, Wärtsilä 32, Wärtsilä 46F, Wärtsilä 46TS and Wärtsilä ZA40S engines. Moreover, the Wärtsilä 20 engine household might be ordered with methanol combustion capabilities.
DECARBONIZATION FRONT AND CENTER
“Decarbonization is entrance and middle to our technique going ahead, and the event of engines able to working on future fuels is essential to that,” says Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä’s Marine Energy enterprise. “Wärtsilä takes an progressive strategy to supporting the marine trade’s transformation to extra sustainable operations, and this broad vary of methanol engines emphasizes this.”
“Wärtsilä is backing its in depth expertise with robust investments in growing new gasoline versatile applied sciences and merchandise.” says Stefan Nysjö, vp of energy provide, Wärtsilä Marine Energy. “We acknowledge that it’s vital for ship homeowners to have most flexibility and to maintain choices open because the trade navigates the unsure pathway to internet zero, and we’re working exhausting to ship this operational flexibility. Our observe document is already very stable, and this expanded engine portfolio provides to each our accomplishments and our long-term dedication to the maritime trade,
Wärtsilä has in depth expertise of methanol engines, having transformed the primary of 4 engines on the ferry Stena Germanica in 2015. Final yr, it launched the Wärtsilä 32 Methanol engine and MethanolPac storage and provide system, turning into one of many first commercially accessible options for utilizing methanol as a gasoline within the maritime trade.
The Wärtsilä 32 Methanol engine has acquired sort approval certificates from a number of classification societies.
The 4 new methanol engines will likely be accessible for deliveries at completely different factors from 2025 onwards.
