MS Helgoland is the first-ever, German-flagged newbuild seagoing vessel to be fueled with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and is powered by a complete Wärtsilä LNG-propulsion solution.
The propulsion machinery is comprised of two dual-fuel engines, two gearboxes and two controllable pitch propellers. In addition, Wärtsilä has supplied its LNGPac™, the fuel bunkering and gas supply system with related process control and safety features.
This passenger ferry operates close to a UNESCO world heritage site, the Wadden Sea National Park, which is an ecologically sensitive area in the South-Eastern part of the North Sea. Hence, operating 98% of the time on clean LNG, with reduced NOx emissions, no particles and SOx, has had a special value to the owner.
On this vessel, the LNGPac™ features also the Wärtsilä’s patented Cold Recovery system, which utilizes the latent heat of LNG vaporization for the ship’s air conditioning system, thereby reducing the amount of electricity consumed for cooling of the compressors. This provides significant operational savings and an increased overall vessel efficiency, for the added benefit of the environment.
We are very proud to be operating the first newbuild German vessel fuelled by LNG. Compared to conventional diesel fuel, this ship will produce 20% less CO2, 90% less NOx, and almost zero SOx and particulates. Thanks to Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel technology with built in redundancy, the vessel can operate efficiently and without restrictions in the Wadden Sea National Park. Furthermore, it was very important for us to select a reliable and experienced partner who was able to deliver a complete propulsion package.
