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Wrtsil to Equip First U.S. Flagged LNG OSV, Makes Huge Donation to SUNY Maritime

Published Oct 10, 2011 9:23 AM by The Maritime Executive

Wärtsilä to Equip First U.S. Flagged LNG Offshore Vessel

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading gas solutions provider, will deliver an integrated propulsion system based on the use of LNG for two offshore support vessels for operation in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first time U.S. flagged offshore supply vessels will run on clean and efficient LNG, which offers operational savings and environmental benefits.

Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract in October 2011 to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion equipment for two advanced offshore supply vessels owned by Harvey Gulf International Marine. These supply vessels will be the first ever U.S. flagged platform supply vessels (PSV) to be powered by clean, safe and efficient LNG. The contract includes options for supplying propulsion equipment for additional follow-on vessels.

Wärtsilä will deliver an integrated system that includes the dual-fuel machinery, electrical and automation package, complete propulsion, and also the LNG fuel storage and handling components. The STX Marine Inc SV310DF Offshore Support Vessels will be powered by Wärtsilä 6-cylinder 34DF dual-fuel engines. The LNG storage capacity of 290 cubic meters (m3), enables more than a week of vessel operational time. In addition, the vessels will carry 5520 tons of deadweight at load line and have a transit speed of 13 knots. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in two years and will operate in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mr Shane Guidry, Harvey Gulf International Marine's Chairman and CEO, states that the stringent governmental demands for reduced emissions, together with predictions that availability of ultra low sulphur diesel fuel will be restricted, caused the company to consider the use of gas as fuel. "We're committed to bringing the world's best technologies to our customers, and these vessels with Wärtsilä's integrated system based on the use of LNG further demonstrates Harvey Gulf's Going Green Vision," he says.

Pete Jacobs, Business Development Manager, Offshore at Wärtsilä North America adds:, "It's a pleasure to work with a company such as Harvey Gulf whose management is dedicated to introducing advanced, clean, natural gas supply vessels. These modern supply vessels showcase Wärtsilä's leading position as a complete solutions provider of LNG propulsion with electric drive systems."

"We are witnessing a transformation of the marine industry as it charts a course towards a new era for natural gas. It's exciting for Wärtsilä to be a trusted partner in this launch with industry leader Harvey Gulf, whose natural gas supply vessel investment actions of today signal a coming paradigm shift. This is aimed at capturing operational savings while simultaneously reducing emissions," says John Hatley, Vice President Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.

Dual-fuel technology meets economic and environmental targets

Wärtsilä has been at the forefront in the development of highly efficient dual-fuel engine technology, allowing the same Wärtsilä 34DF engine to be operated on either gas or diesel fuel with full EPA emissions Tier 2compliance. This dual-fuel capability means that when running in gas mode, the environmental impact is minimized since nitrogen oxides (NOx) are reduced by some 85 per cent  compared to diesel operation, sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions are completely eliminated as gas contains no sulphur, and emissions of CO2 are also lowered. Natural gas has no residuals, and thus the production of particulates is practically non-existent.

The shipping industry finds the operational savings that gas offers to be very compelling. Similarly, the significant environmental benefits that LNG fuel provides are of increasing importance. With fossil fuel prices, and especially the cost of low sulphur marine fuel, likely to continue to escalate, gas is an obvious economic alternative.

Drawing from decades of experience in the development and application of natural gas engines for both the power generation and marine industries, Wärtsilä is the global leader in this advanced technology. Wärtsilä recently passed the 3 million running hours milestone with its dual-fuel engine technology.

Wärtsilä to Donate Diesel Engine and Equipment to SUNY Maritime College Engineering Department; Donation Valued at $1 Million

Wärtsilä, the marine industry’s leading solutions provider, will donate the main components of a hybrid diesel propulsion system to the Engineering Department at State University of New York Maritime College. The unveiling ceremony on October 12, 2011 serves as the official dedication and opening of the Wärtsilä Lab, housed in Marvin Tode Hall, science and engineering building on the SUNY Maritime campus, the Bronx, New York City. 

The donated equipment and support includes a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 26 medium speed diesel engine, reduction gear, a power take-in (motor) / take-out (generator), related system equipment, tools, instruction manuals and instruction at Wärtsilä’s Land and Sea Training Academy in Fort Lauderdale Florida. This system combines diesel-electric and diesel–mechanical machinery maximizing system efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The total donation to SUNY Maritime College’s Engineering Department is valued at $1 million.

“We at Wärtsilä are very excited to have the opportunity to partner with SUNY Maritime College, one of the premier maritime academies in the United States,  training tomorrow’s engineers and engineering executives - the men and women who will lead the maritime industry in the coming decades,” said Frank Donnelly, President, Wärtsilä North America, Inc.  “Maritime students, studying this state-of-the-art diesel technology will join the maritime community with a greater working knowledge of diesel maritime technology,” said John Hatley, Vice President, Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.

SUNY Maritime College Engineering Chairman Dr. Richard Burke expressed his gratitude on behalf of the students and engineering faculty of the College for the generous donation. “The Wärtsilä 26 diesel engine, that will be housed in the Wärtsilä Lab, will allow our engineering students to work on a state-of-the art engine – similar to one that they will encounter when they are at sea onboard a modern day ship.”  SUNY Maritime College president, Rear Admiral Wendi B. Carpenter, USN (Ret.), expressed her deep thanks to Wärtsilä, stating “We are most appreciative for this very generous gift that represents a major investment in our students, and therefore in the future leaders of the maritime and transportation industry.  Wärtsilä’s vision in this venture is far reaching in its global impact.  Maritime College looks forward to a long and productive public-private partnership with Wärtsilä for many years to come.”

To mark the occasion, Wärtsilä will host a reception at the SUNY Maritime College campus on October 12, following the afternoon unveiling ceremony.  The next day, Wärtsilä and SUNY Maritime will join together and take part in the Closing Bell Ceremony at the NASDAQ stock exchange, Times Square in mid-town Manhattan.