Wärtsilä testing bio LNG in naval application

Wärtsilä is helping the Finnish Border Guard test renewable liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel for a coast guard patrol vessel.

The project’s aim is to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby lessening the impact on global warming, the company said. The 96-m long vessel, the Turva, is fitted with Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines and has been supported with a Wärtsilä maintenance agreement since its launch in 2014. The bio LNG fuel is supplied by Gasum, a Finnish state-owned biogas refiner.

After close evaluation of the bio LNG fuel specifications provided by Gasum, Wärtsilä said it is confident that it represents a viable fuel choice for the multi-fuel capability of the Wärtsilä engines. Following this evaluation, the Finnish Border Guard opted to proceed with the testing program.

“The strategy for the Border Guard’s fleet of patrol vessels is to switch to environmentally sustainable fuels wherever possible. Testing the bio LNG in the Turva is an important step forward in fulfilling this strategy,” said Commander Marko Aheristo from the Finnish Border Guard.

Wärtsilä is collaborating with the Finnish Border Guard in testing of bio LNG fuel for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

“Wärtsilä is investing heavily in the development of technology for alternative clean fuels that can drive decarbonization throughout the shipping industry. We have developed our engine technology to be compatible with the use of such fuels. LNG is already broadly accepted as a viable marine fuel, and we see Bio LNG as a natural next step. We are, therefore, extremely supportive of this testing program,” said Juha Kytölä, R&D and Engineering, Wärtsilä Marine Power.

Bio LNG is a 100% renewable fuel that can reduce CO2 emissions over its life cycle by up to 90% compared to conventional fuel. It emits no particulate matter (PM), and close to zero nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulphur oxides (SOx).