Wärtsilä Gas Solutions will supply the cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems for four new LNG bunkering vessels being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China for GSX Energy.
The orders are considered to reflect Wärtsilä Gas Solutions’ strength in supplying systems to the LNG bunkering segment. LNG continues to gain popularity as a marine fuel, bridging the gap between conventional diesel fuels and emerging low-carbon alternatives. The company believes that this growth creates strong demand for LNG bunkering capacity. Forecasts indicate that more than 1,150 LNG dual-fuel vessels will be operating worldwide by 2028.
In addition to the complete LNG cargo handling and fuel gas supply equipment, Wärtsilä will design and provide engineering for the systems. Equipment deliveries for the first two vessels will commence in December this year.
Barry Yang, Sales Manager China, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, said: “As we see LNG as an enabler of a greener future for shipping, our cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems deliver efficient support for bunkering vessels serving LNG-fuelled ships. The total cargo handling and fuel gas supply package by Wärtsilä represents a flexible and well-proven solution for operational efficiency.”
Wärtsilä Gas Solutions has established a strong relationship with the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific shipyard, having supplied cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems to the yard for a number of small-scale LNG carriers, LPG carriers, ethane/ethylene carriers, and multi-gas carriers.
Image: Wärtsilä-equipped LNG bunkering vessel (credit: Wärtsilä Gas Solutions)
