Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System to be retrofitted to an additional three BW LPG ships

Wärtsilä Corporation, Press release, 21 December 2020 at 10 AM EET

The technology group Wärtsilä’s industry leading R&D investments in enabling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to become a viable marine fuel has resulted in a further order for the company’s LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS). Oslo-listed BW LPG, the world’s largest LPG shipping company, has ordered the system to be retrofitted to three very large gas carrier (VLGC) vessels. BW LPG had previously ordered four Wärtsilä LFSS’ in 2018, and an additional eight systems in February 2020. This latest order placed in November 2020, thus brings the total to be delivered to the same customer to 15, thereby emphasising their satisfaction with the technology.

The initial order was placed following Wärtsilä’s successful full-scale testing of the system in 2018 with a full-sized 2-stroke marine engine operating on LPG fuel. This was the world’s first such testing protocol. For the retrofitting, Wärtsilä has been designated as the system integrator, which involves not only installation of the system, but also the required ship design modifications.

“BW LPG took the first step to invest in pioneering propulsion technology based on excellent test results. Subsequent strong performance of the Wärtsilä technology has exceeded our expectations, and we have proceeded to equip our fleet with the LFSS as an important step in our commitment towards fewer emissions, bigger savings, and also a large step towards zero-carbon propulsion” said Pontus Berg, Executive Vice President, Technical and Operation at BW LPG.

“For any fuel to become viable, it takes more than just an engine capable of burning the fuel. An efficient and well designed, high quality fuel supply system is essential, and we have worked hard to bring the Wärtsilä LFSS to the market. LPG as a marine fuel supports environmental sustainability, and we are proud to be contributing to this,” commented Kjell Ove Ulstein, Director of Sales and Marketing at Wärtsilä.

Retrofitting of the latest three systems for BW LPG will take place at the end of 2021 or the beginning of 2022.

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on the journey towards a sustainable future through focus on lifecycle, innovation and digitalization.

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Image caption: BW Leo © Wärtsilä Corporation

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Wärtsilä Marine Systems in brief:
Wärtsilä Marine Systems offers high-quality products, solutions, and lifecycle services related to the gas value chain, exhaust treatment applications, seals & bearings, shaftline repair services, underwater services, and marine electrical integrations. Our aim is to provide the latest and most efficient solutions in line with Wärtsilä’s Smart Marine Ecosystem vision for a safer, better, and more sustainable future for our customers.
www.wartsila.com/marine

Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in smart technologies and complete lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising sustainable innovation, total efficiency and data analytics, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2019, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.2 billion with approximately 19,000 employees. The company has operations in over 200 locations in more than 80 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com