Wärtsilä power for LNG barges

The barges will operate primarily on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the scope of supply also includes other propulsion equipment and LNGPac fuel gas handling systems.

Bram Kruyt, director inland waterways, Wärtsilä, said: “Wärtsilä’s total solution capabilities, and its unmatched experience in LNG fuel machinery and systems for marine applications, are providing leading ship owners and operators with the added value they require. We salute everyone involved in this important project for their support in making inland waterway shipping more environmentally sustainable.”

At the moment the ships’ hulls are under construction at the VEKA Shipyard CENTROMOST in Poland and outfitting will be carried out at VEKA Shipyard Werkendam.

In optimising the efficiency parameters for these 15 vessels, Wärtsilä was able to draw on its experience from the two latest dual-fuel powered inland waterway vessels with Wärtsilä DF engines. The company also recently introduced a combined engine and thruster package that is ideal for the specific demands of river and inland waterway operation.

Shell will utilise the barges to support its growing operations in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) and Rhinetrack (Germany/Switzerland) regions.

The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yards commencing in June 2016.