Complete Wärtsilä Gas Cargo Handling Systems have been specified for a series of six new type Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs), as well as for two conventional VLGCs, and for three Medium Gas Carriers (MGCs). The ships are all being built in South Korea at the Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) facilities. The total of 11 systems represents one of the largest single deals for gas cargo handling solutions ever received by the company. The contracts with Wärtsilä were signed in November and the deliveries are scheduled for the period between late 2016 and early 2018.
The type of Wärtsilä Gas Reliquefaction Plants to be delivered represents the company’s latest development in this field, and three identical units will be installed in each vessel. The plants have a higher refrigeration capacity and better efficiency than earlier versions delivered to VLGC`s, and will be capable of handling propane with a high ethane content, i.e. 8,5% mol.
In addition, a Wärtsilä Purge Gas Recovery Unit will be included in the complete system. These will collect the hydrocarbons in the purge gas during the gassing up of the cargo tanks, resulting in a significant reduction in the amount of hydrocarbon emissions, thereby enhancing the environmental sustainability of the ships’ operations.
“The efficiency and reliability of the Wärtsilä Gas Cargo Handling Systems have made us a recognised market leader in supplying systems for gas carrier vessels. During recent years we have delivered numerous systems for different sizes and types of these ships, and these latest contracts provide further evidence of our leading technologies in this field. We are very pleased to be again working on these projects with HHI and HMD to provide efficient solutions for the owners,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä.
The efficient loading and unloading of cargo made possible by the Wärtsilä systems minimise the time the carriers need to be docked at the gas terminals, thereby reducing the operational costs.
The new type VLGCs have a cargo capacity of 78,700 m3 and have been designed to meet the size requirements for the current Panama Canal. The ships are being built for Greek, Korean, Norwegian and Singaporean owners. The vessels are scheduled for delivery to the owners during 2017 and 2018.
The complete scope of the Wärtsilä cargo handling systems includes the cargo pumps, inert gas plants, and an equipment package comprising compressors, heat exchangers and control systems. Wärtsilä will also provide the necessary engineering, arrangement drawings, site commissioning at the yards, and crew training.
Links to related pages on wartsila.com:
Wärtsilä Cargo Handling System for Fully Refrigerated Gas Carriers
Wärtsilä Inert Gas Generators for Gas Carriers
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Caption: The efficiency and reliability of the Wärtsilä Gas Cargo Handling Systems have made us a recognised market leader in supplying systems for gas carrier vessels.
Media contacts:
Kjetil Hovland
Director, Gas Solutions
Wärtsilä Marine Solutions
Tel: +81548500
kjetil.hovland@wartsila.com
Ms Marit Holmlund-Sund
Senior Manager Marketing, Communications, Marine Solutions
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel: +358 10 709 1439
marit.holmlund-sund@wartsila.com
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 maximizes the environmental and economic performance of the vessels and power plants of its customers.
In 2014, Wärtsilä's net sales totalled EUR 4.8 billion with approximately 17,700 employees. The company has operations in more than 200 locations in nearly 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
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