Wärtsilä has secured an order to supply the engines and thrusters for the first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessels being built at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) for the US-based Delfin LNG project.
The propulsion solutions are intended to support efficient, reliable and environmentally sustainable operations for the offshore LNG facility, helping to accelerate the development of new LNG export infrastructure.
According to Wärtsilä, as the global energy sector seeks more flexible and cost-effective ways to develop gas resources and expand export capacity, FLNG projects are playing an increasingly important role in bringing new LNG supplies to market. By enabling LNG production, storage and export directly offshore, these facilities can reduce infrastructure requirements and accelerate project development. Wärtsilä’s propulsion solutions will therefore support the demanding operational and environmental requirements of these applications.
Björn Axfors, Lead Engineer Hull and Marine, Delfin, said: “Being able to disconnect in case of a hurricane warning and sail to a safe location is essential for an FLNG Vessel off the coast of Louisiana. The chosen propulsion arrangement, including the ability to hoist the thrusters for inboard maintenance prior to the hurricane season, is part of the solution designed for reliable operations and to ensure the safety of crew and asset.”
The vessel will serve the Port Delfin LNG project, located about 40 naut mile off the coast of Louisiana, North America, and will be supplied by existing onshore and offshore gas pipelines. Wärtsilä worked closely with the project partners during the feed engineering phase to develop a propulsion arrangement tailored to the vessel’s unique requirements.
Youngjin Jeong, VP Offshore Procurement Team, SHI, added: “We are pleased to continue our collaboration with Wärtsilä on the Delfin LNG project. Wärtsilä’s proven dual-fuel engines and steerable thrusters, supported by close cooperation between our two companies throughout the project, have contributed to meeting the specific requirements of the project. We look forward to working together to deliver a successful FLNG project and to further strengthening our partnership as the FLNG market continues to grow.”
Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel engines together with an advanced exhaust gas treatment system featuring SCR with Oxicat technologies. The vessel will be equipped with three custom-designed inboard-mountable thrusters, which will be the largest ever produced by Wärtsilä and the largest currently operating worldwide. Together, these technologies will support fuel-efficient operations, reduced emissions and enhanced operational availability. The patented inboard demountable thruster design enables maintenance to be carried out from inside the vessel while operations continue, minimising downtime and supporting lifecycle performance.
Bernd Bertram, VP Propulsion, Wärtsilä Marine, said: “The growing interest in FLNG projects reflects the increasing need for flexible energy infrastructure that can be deployed quickly and operated efficiently. Success in these applications depends on optimising efficiency, reliability and environmental performance from the earliest design stages. By combining our expertise in propulsion, vessel integration and lifecycle support, we are helping customers develop solutions that meet both current operational needs and future expectations.”
The Wärtsilä equipment is scheduled for delivery beginning in the third quarter of 2027, with the vessel expected to enter operation in early 2030.
Image: Wärtsilä will supply dual-fuel engines and custom-designed thrusters for the first FLNG vessels being built for the Delfin LNG project (credit: Samsung Heavy Industries)
