Wärtsilä to design ‘first’ LNG tug for Middle East

The 29m tug, to be built and operated by Dubai-based Drydocks World (DDW), is the first in a series of nine such vessels and is part of a ‘green’ initiative launched by the Dubai government.

“The shift towards the use of LNG fuel is building up speed across the world. We at Wärtsilä feel proud that we have been at the forefront of this movement, first through the development of dual-fuel engine technology, and then by developing a full range of integrated solutions serving the complete gas value chain,” said Ibrahim Behairy, sales director, Middle East, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

“This will be the first harbour tug in the Middle East to operate on gas, which indicates the growing importance of environmental issues everywhere,” he added.

Wärtsilä will supply the ship design, two 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines, Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST), type WST-18 Compact thrusters, the automation equipment and a Wärtsilä LNGPac system.

A complete fuel gas handling system for LNG-fuelled ships, the Wärtsilä LNGPac system includes the bunkering station, the LNG tank and related process equipment, as well as the control and monitoring system.

The company says its Wärtsilä WST-18 thrusters, which are part of the new WST Compact series, provide optimal efficiency, high hydrodynamic performance and easier maintenance. They are also said to reduce fuel consumption, therefore lowering the vessels’ environmental footprint.