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.
Hover or click on the symbols to reveal more information on the six parts of the integrated solution.
Small gas carrier DF-DE
Small gas carrier DF-DM
Medium gas carrier
Small gas carrier DF-DE
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.
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Small gas carrier DF-DM
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.
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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.
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Technology group Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel engines for a new 18,600 m3 capacity LNG Bunkering vessel being built for Spanish operator Ibaizabal. The engines will feature Wärtsilä’s innovative NextDF technology, which dramatically reduces methane emissions when operating with LNG fuel. The ship is being built at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard in China, and the order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2024.
LNG is an important transition fuel as the marine industry strives to reduce its carbon footprint. However, the main component of LNG is methane and when burned as a fuel, a very small amount may not combust properly, leading to methane escaping into the atmosphere.
The Wärtsilä 25DF engine has already set an industry benchmark for low methane emissions, down to as low as 1.4 percent at certain load points. The NextDF feature further reduces methane emissions, achieving as low as 1.1 per cent in a wide load range. What’s more, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are lower than on the standard Wärtsilä 25DF engine which already has low emission levels below IMO Tier III.
“Our company strategy and commitment is for our vessels to be as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. In line with current and anticipated regulations – both at an international and regional level – we carefully evaluated the fuel consumption and emission performance together with Wärtsilä, concluding that the Wärtsilä 25DF engine with the NextDF feature would best support us with achieving our sustainability goals,” says Jose Maria Torre, Fleet Director of Ibaizabal Group.
Torre continues: “Wärtsilä’s state-of-art technology not only represents a major step forward in achieving our own decarbonisation strategy for our fleet, but for the charterer of the vessel. The decision by them to charter this vessel was down to it having the best performance and lowest emissions for that type of vessel.”
The Wärtsilä 25DF engine is the most efficient and most environmentally friendly marine engine in its power range. With its modular, upgradeable, and flexible design, the engine platform helps operators to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, whilst improving the efficiency of vessels. The NextDF feature will enable operators to go even further in reaching their decarbonisation targets. In addition to lower emissions levels, the NextDF feature improves engine efficiency by up to 0.5 percentage points.
In addition to the engines, the scope of supply also includes two Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST) which will deliver superior hydrodynamic performance for maximum propulsion efficiency and dynamic positioning capability.
“The incorporation of our NextDF feature into the Wärtsilä 25DF engine provides enhanced fuel economy together with a significant cut in emissions. We share Ibaizabal’s commitment to decarbonising shipping operations and applaud them for being the first operator to take advantage of this new groundbreaking technology for the Wärtsilä 25DF engine,” comments Stefan Nysjö, Vice President of Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine.
The equipment is scheduled for fast-track delivery to the yard, commencing in September 2025. The ship is expected to be delivered before the end of 2026.
Media contact for more information on this release:
Isabella Alder
Positioning and Strategic Communications Manager Wärtsilä Marine
Tel: +44 (0) 7792 681 757
marine.media@wartsila.com
Image caption: Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel engines (pictured) for a new 18,600 m3 capacity LNG Bunkering vessel (picured) being built for Spanish operator Ibaizabal © Ibaizabal
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Wärtsilä Marine in brief
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime's transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support 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 18,300 professionals in more than 230 locations in 77 countries is shaping the decarbonisation of our industries across the globe. In 2024, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.4 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
