Wärtsilä dual-fuel technology selected by green ship project
by the government of South Korea

Wärtsilä News 26 March 2012

Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply the engine for a Korean government Incheon Port Authority (IPA) Guideship. The Government of the Republic of Korea has specified environmental sustainability as a priority for this ship, and this project is seen as being highly significant for this reason.

The about 200 gross tonnage Guideship is to be designed and coordinated by the Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in Korea on behalf of the state-owned Incheon Port Authority (IPA).

The in-line Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuelled engine with its 9 cylinders ordered for this vessel can operate on either gas or liquid fuel oils, and in gas mode is capable of meeting the most stringent emission regulations. The Guideship will operate in the port of Incheon and taking onboard passengers for various routings. The environmental benefit will be granted as the dual-fuel engine will have low emissions, in gas mode being compliant to Tier III regulations.

“The IPA’s Guideship, which is a green ship, concept is tremendously important as it clearly represents an industry trend. We are very proud that Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engine technology has been selected as the most suitable solution for this project and we are looking forward to getting much more orders for coastal vessels and environmental related markets. The fuel flexibility that our DF engines offer enables not only environmental sustainability, but fuel cost savings as well since these engines can operate on a wide range of fuels,” says Aaron Bresnahan, Vice President, Wärtsilä Ship Power, Specials.

The unique feature of Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engine technology is that it incorporates two separate fuel injection systems. When operating on gas, the electronically controlled common-rail pilot fuel injection system injects a very small amount of liquid fuel only. This makes it possible to conform to certain environmental restrictions that couldn’t be met when using conventional injection systems. The conventional system is used when the DF engine is operated on standard liquid marine fuels. The switch between fuels can be made automatically and without loss of power.

The order was placed with Wärtsilä in October 2011, and the ship is scheduled to be in operation in December 2012.

Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engines, used in both land-based and marine applications, recently passed the significant milestone of 5 million running hours.This milestone represents a dual-fuel technology track record that cannot be matched by any other engine manufacturer.

Facts about the vessel:
200G/T Harbour Master vessel
Over All length approximately 38m
Breadth 8m
Depth 4,8m
Draft (design) 2,2 m
Speed approximately 15 knots

Wärtsilä in brief:
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2011, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 4.2 billion with approximately 18,000 employees. The company has operations in nearly 170 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.

Wärtsilä Corporation, press release