banner picture gas carriers
Small and medium gas carrier

Contact us

Diverse operations require flexible systems to maximise efficiency

Small and medium gas carriers generally transport liquid natural gas (LNG) or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), or other chemical products in gaseous form. Some vessel designs may be tailored for bunkering or ship-to-ship operations. Vessels in this size class need to be adaptable for varying voyage distances, loading conditions, and sailing speeds as well as varying power requirements for cargo handling and port entry and exit operations. Vessel CAPEX and OPEX are crucial to secure profitable and competitive business.

Gas carriers sail under variable cargo loads and with varying operational profiles, meaning propulsive and electrical power requirements can vary greatly. As a result, owners must balance the need to minimise a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) with the need to ensure that installed propulsive power is sufficient to cope with adverse weather conditions as required by the IMO’s MARPOL Convention.

Vessels carrying hazardous or pollutant goods are usually required to have backup steering and navigational systems in case of failure. Small and medium gas carriers also often sail in challenging waters such as channels or fjords, making a reliable propulsion system, effective steering capability and excellent manoeuvrability a must. They may also be sailing in environmentally sensitive areas with strict emission and underwater noise limits. In addition, port operations may take place close to urban areas where even stricter local environmental regulations apply.

Integrated solution for small and medium gas carriers

Hover or click on the symbols to reveal more information on the six parts of the integrated solution.

Header Paragraph

    Small gas carrier DF-DE

    Wärtsilä dual fuel-diesel electric (DF-DE) propulsion system

    Emission reduction and operational flexibility are the main drivers behind the development of Wärtsilä propulsion systems for small and medium gas carriers. These highly adaptable, customised propulsion systems can be enhanced with a variety of advanced functionalities according to the intended operational profile of the vessel in question.

    A great option for this vessel type is a diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system that includes fuel-flexible medium-speed gensets, a switchboard and a propulsion motor connected to steerable aft thrusters, a forward tunnel thruster and a battery-based energy storage system (ESS). An integrated Energy Management System (EMS) ensures all the elements work seamlessly together, optimising energy flows to achieve the best performance in all operational modes.

    System operational modes for small gas carrier DF-DE

    Small gas carrier DF-DE

    Zero Emissions Mode
    Transit Mode
    Standby Mode
    Manoeuvring Mode
    Bunkering / STS Mode
    Hotel Mode
    Additional operating possibilities

    Expand all

    Collapse all

    Small gas carrier DF-DM

    Wärtsilä dual fuel-diesel mechanical (DF-DM) propulsion system

    Emission reduction and operational flexibility are the main drivers behind the development of Wärtsilä propulsion systems for small and medium gas carriers. These highly adaptable, customised propulsion systems can be enhanced with a variety of advanced functionalities according to the intended operational profile of the vessel in question.

    A great option for this vessel type is a hybrid propulsion system that includes a fuel-flexible medium-speed main engine, a geared propeller system, a shaft motor/generator (PTO/PTI) and a battery-based energy storage system (ESS) as well as an auxiliary genset. An integrated Energy Management System (EMS) ensures all the elements work seamlessly together, optimising energy flows to achieve the best performance in all operational modes.

    System operational modes for small gas carrier DF-DM

    Small gas carrier DF-DM

    Mechanical Mode
    Hybrid Mode
    Electric Mode
    Zero-Emission Mode
    Boost Mode
    Manoeuvring Mode
    Hotel Mode
    Main Engine Genset Mode

    Expand all

    Collapse all

    Medium gas carrier

    The Wärtsilä propulsion system for this vessel type has a main engine mechanically connected to a CPP through a one-step gearbox with PTO/PTI connection. This helps owners to balance the need to minimise a vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and comply with the IMO’s MARPOL Convention while ensuring that installed propulsive power is sufficient to cope with adverse weather conditions. The Wärtsilä ProTouch Propulsion Control System offers a user-friendly interface and advanced features such as EcoControl. A GATE RUDDER™ can be added for superior efficiency and manoeuvrability and a bow thruster to further enhance manoeuvrability. 

    System operational modes for medium gas carrier

    Medium gas carrier

    Mechanical Mode
    Hybrid Mode
    PTH Mode
    Boost Mode
    Manoeuvring Mode
    Hotel Mode
    Main Engine Genset Mode

    Expand all

    Collapse all

    Articles

    20 Feb 2023 · Article
    7 min read
    Methanol as marine fuel – is it the solution you are looking for?
    What are the advantages of methanol as marine fuel? What are the issues that ship...
    The right bow thruster will minimise vessel resistance
    9 May 2023 · Article
    4 min read
    How the right bow thruster can increase efficiency and save you money
    Choosing the cheapest bow thruster may be a costly mistake. Learn the three...
    proven solutions to minimise vessel downtime
    28 Apr 2023 · Article
    6 min read
    Three simple but effective ways to prevent vessel downtime
    Looking for proven solutions to minimise vessel downtime? Here are three common causes...

    Hand-picked press releases

    Wärtsilä’s market leading position in cargo handling solutions highlighted with contract for four new LPG carrier vessels

    Dec 14, 2023, 10:00 by Wärtsilä Corporation

    Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the cargo handling and fuel supply systems for four new 40,000 m3 gas carrier vessels. The ships are being built at the CIMC SinoPacific Offshore & Engineering (SOE) shipyard in China for Norwegian shipowner Avance Gas. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2023.

    Wärtsilä’s range of complete cargo handling systems for gas tankers are designed to reduce operating costs and improve the vessel’s Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI). The award of this contract represents an endorsement of these benefits.

    The Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS) is an innovative and reliable system that enables the use of LPG as fuel. This increases operational efficiency and supports environmental sustainability.

    “We are very familiar with Wärtsilä’s capabilities in gas handling applications, and we are confident that they are the best solution for these new vessels. The global support they can offer through their broad and comprehensive service network is another reason why they were chosen,” said Wenbao Gao, Vice President of CIMC ENRIC, CEO of CIMC SOE.

    “Wärtsilä enjoys a very positive relationship with both the SOE shipyard and Avance Gas, which is based on our ability to develop and supply high quality and reliable solutions that feature outstanding performance. We have a market leading position with an unmatched number of excellent references, and this order extends our position even further,” commented Patrick Ha, Sales Manager, Cargo Handling Systems, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.

    These will be the first medium sized LPG carrier vessels built at the SOE yard. The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled to be delivered in the latter part of 2024, and the ships are expected to be delivered in 2nd half 2025 and onwards.

    Wärtsilä Gas Solutions is a market leader with innovative systems and lifecycle solutions for the gas value chain. Our main focus areas are the handling of gas in seaborne transport (storage, fuel, transfer and BOG management), gas to power, liquefaction and biogas solutions. We help our customers on their journey towards a sustainable future through a focus on lifecycle performance, innovation and digitalisation.

    Media contact for more information on this release:

    Elin Saure Hasund
    Sales & Marketing Coordinator, Gas Solutions
    Wärtsilä Marine Systems
    Tel: +47 91721144
    Elin.saurehasund@wartsila.com

    Image caption: Wärtsilä will supply the cargo handling and fuel supply system for four new 40,000 m3 gas carrier vessels. © Avance Gas

    All Wärtsilä releases are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/news-releases and at http://news.cision.com/wartsila-corporation where also the images can be downloaded.
    Use of the image(s) is allowed only in connection with the contents of this press release.
    Wärtsilä images are available at https://www.wartsila.com/media/image-bank.

    Wärtsilä Marine Systems in brief:
    Wärtsilä Marine Systems supports customers with high quality products and lifecycle services related to the gas value chain, exhaust treatment, shaft line and underwater repair. We are committed to providing the latest and most efficient solutions, in line with Wärtsilä’s vision for a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.
    www.wartsila.com/marine

    Wärtsilä in brief
    Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,500 professionals in more than 240 locations in 79 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2022, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 5.8 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
    www.wartsila.com

    Wärtsilä Marine. Let's connect.