Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of the technology group Wärtsilä, will deliver the fuel supply system for two new gas carriers that will operate with ammonia fuel.
First-ever oceangoing vessels
The ships are being built at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) in Korea for ship owner - EXMAR LPG, a joint venture between Exmar, a multi-disciplinary maritime and offshore solutions provider, and Seapeak, one of the largest independent owner-operators of liquefied natural gas vessels.
These EXMAR Medium size Gas Carrier's new buildings will be the first-ever oceangoing vessels to be propelled by dual-fuel engines capable of operating with ammonia, these engines will be provided by WINGD.
Four-ship series
All four vessels were originally ordered to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel
The vessels are part of a four-ship series for which Wärtsilä has already been contracted to supply the cargo handling and fuel supply systems. All four vessels were originally ordered to use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel.
However, in October EXMAR declared an option to change the fuel system and placed an order with Wärtsilä to convert the fuel systems on two vessels to operate with ammonia. Wärtsilä booked this order in Q1, 2024.
Minimising risk
“There is of course a challenge to be considered when making a first-ever operational decision such as this, requiring the latest technology,” said Carl-Antoine Saverys, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EXMAR.
He adds, "Wärtsilä has the experience and technical competence to minimise this risk, which is why they were selected as a key partner in this groundbreaking project."
Liquid Ammonia Fuel Supply System
The system is skid mounted with low- and high-pressure fuel pumps, controls for fuel pressure
The full scope of Wärtsilä’s supply includes the Liquid Ammonia Fuel Supply System along with process engineering and dynamic simulation.
The system is skid mounted with low- and high-pressure fuel pumps, controls for fuel pressure and temperature, and heat exchangers. Delivery to the yard is scheduled for 2025.
Decarbonised shipping operations
“We have had long and close cooperation with both HMD and EXMAR and are proud to be part of this exciting project. When operating with ammonia fuel the CO2 emissions will be reduced by about 90%,” commented Stein Thoresen, Head of Sales Marine, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.
He adds, "This is fully in line with Wärtsilä’s strategy for enabling decarbonised shipping operations, and is an endorsement of our capabilities to deliver future-proof systems capable of handling a new generation of marine fuels."