Wärtsilä delivers LPG systems for 15 carriers

Wärtsilä has delivered its LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS) to 15 Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) vessels owned and operated by BW LPG.

The Oslo-listed company is a world leader in liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipping, and has the world’s largest fleet of VLGC vessels.

The Wärtsilä LFSS enables the use of LPG as an environmentally sustainable marine fuel. It meets IMO emission limits without the need for exhaust scrubber systems. Compared to heavy fuel oil (HFO), LPG reduces sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions by 97%, nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions by approximately 20%, greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 24%, and particulate matter emissions by 90%.

The system is configured with LPG storage tank or tanks optimized for the trade of the vessel. The LPG fuel tank is loaded through dedicated bunkering lines, or in case of a LPG carrier reloaded from the cargo tanks. From the fuel tank, the LPG is conditioned and prepared as fuel. A system consisting of pumps and heat exchanger is used to supply the engine with a stable and reliable fuel flow, at the correct pressure and temperature, the company said. The LFSS is equipped with proven components, including the necessary return gas conditioning system. Due to need for high cleanness on the fuel there are installed proper filtering upstream and embedded in the system.

“The successful introduction of the LFSS is testament to Wärtsilä’s commitment to working towards the decarbonization of shipping We were very quick to adopt this system in support of our own decarbonization ambitions, and we have enjoyed collaborating with them in this important and groundbreaking project,” commented Pontus Berg, executive vice president, Technical and Operation, at BW LPG.

BW Malacca, the last vessels in the series of 15 Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC’s) retrofitted with Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System. (Image: Wärtsilä)

BW LPG ordered the first four of these 15 systems in 2018, immediately following Wärtsilä’s full-scale testing of a full-sized 2-stroke marine engine operating with LPG fuel. This was the world’s first such testing protocol, and the performance attained was seen as exceeding expectations. Orders for a further 11 systems were placed in 2020.

In the retrofitting of these 15 vessels, Wärtsilä has had system integrator responsibilities. This has involved not only the installation of the LFSS, but also the required ship design modifications. The Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System is available as a stand-alone solution, or as an integrated element within the LPG cargo handling system.

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.