A new offshore wind installation vessel (WIV) being built at Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard in China marks the first time Wärtsilä has received an order for new-build methanol-fueled engines.
The vessel is to be built for Dutch contracting company Van Oord and will feature a Wärtsilä propulsion system made up of five 32 engines capable of running on methanol fuel. The order was placed in November 2021 and Wärtsilä’s supply scope extends to the ship’s methanol fuel supply system. Delivery of the equipment is scheduled for the start of 2023.
“We see methanol as one of the alternatives to meet the industry’s goals to reduce its environmental impact,” commented Harold Linssen, project director at Van Oord. “We are pleased to be the pioneer of Wärtsilä’s latest methanol-fueled engine technology.”
In keeping with a company strategy to meet future development needs, Wärtsilä has recently signed a long-term strategic cooperation agreement with Yantai CIMC Raffles to design and develop futureproof solutions for new-builds. These solutions will include the utilization of future carbon-free fuels and other integrated technologies.
“Leveraging the combined strengths of Yantai CIMC Raffles and Wärtsilä will ensure that we can deliver the best solutions to support our customers on their path to lower emissions,” said Li Minggao, vice president of CIMC Raffles.
“Enabling the use of methanol fuel is an important step along the path toward decarbonized operations. These cooperations will speed the work in bringing these fuels to the market, and in building ships that meet and exceed the regulatory and operational requirements for the coming decades,” explained Roger Holm, president of Wärtsilä Marine Power.
In addition to the engines, Wärtsilä will supply the Van Oord WIV with a package of thrusters to enable efficient station-keeping.