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Small and medium gas carrier

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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

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    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

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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. 

    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

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    Hand-picked press releases

    Four new Purus gas carriers to operate with Wärtsilä cargo handling systems

    Nov 29, 2023, 10:00 by Wärtsilä Corporation

    Technology group Wärtsilä will supply the Cargo Handling Systems (CHS) for four new medium gas carrier vessels, expected to primarily carry ammonia. The 45,000 m3 capacity ships are under construction at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard (HMD) yard in Korea for UK and Singapore based Purus. The order was placed by HMD and booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2023. HMD is a key customer of Wärtsilä in the region’s medium gas carrier market, and the two companies have cooperated on a number of newbuild projects.

    Wärtsilä has a market leading position in cargo handling solutions for gas carriers. The company continues to develop innovative solutions that enhance the safety, reliability, and efficiency of gas cargo handling.

    “This order further strengthens our position in the medium gas carrier market in Korea. We are delighted to continue our close relationship with HMD for this class of ships, and we are pleased to add Purus to our impressive list of references,” commented Patrick Ha, Sales Manager, Cargo Handling Systems, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.

    The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yard in Q3 2024, and the first of the four ships is expected to commence commercial operations in the latter half of 2025.

    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.

    Purus is a world leader in providing global energy customers with maritime services for the gas transport and offshore wind industries. They own and operate one of the world’s largest and youngest fleets of gas carriers, construction service operation vessels (C/SOVs) and crew transfer vessels (CTVs) and, together with Wärtsilä, are at the forefront of decarbonizing the maritime sector.

    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: Four new Purus gas carriers to operate with Wärtsilä cargo handling systems © Purus

    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.

    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

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