Wärtsilä to Equip First U.S. Flagged LNG Offshore Vessel

HELSINKI, October 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

Wartsila, the marine industry’s leading gas solutions provider, will
deliver an integrated propulsion system based on the use of LNG for two
offshore support vessels for operation in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the
first time U.S. flagged offshore supply vessels will run on clean and
efficient LNG, which offers operational savings and environmental benefits.

(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20111007/484983-a )

(Photo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20111007/484983-b )

Wartsila has been awarded a contract in October 2011 to supply liquefied
natural gas (LNG) propulsion equipment for two advanced offshore supply
vessels owned by Harvey Gulf International Marine. These supply vessels will
be the first ever U.S. flagged platform supply vessels (PSV) to be powered
by clean, safe and efficient LNG. The contract includes options for
supplying propulsion equipment for additional follow-on vessels.

Wartsila will deliver an integrated system that includes the dual-fuel
machinery, electrical and automation package, complete propulsion, and also
the LNG fuel storage and handling components. The STX Marine Inc SV310DF
Offshore Support Vessels will be powered by Wartsila 6-cylinder 34DF
dual-fuel engines. The LNG storage capacity of 290 cubic meters (m3),
enables more than a week of vessel operational time. In addition, the
vessels will carry 5520 tons of deadweight at load line and have a transit
speed of 13 knots. The vessels are scheduled for delivery in two years and
will operate in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mr Shane Guidry, Harvey Gulf International Marine’s Chairman and CEO,
states that the stringent governmental demands for reduced emissions,
together with predictions that availability of ultra low sulphur diesel fuel
will be restricted, caused the company to consider the use of gas as fuel.
“We’re committed to bringing the world’s best technologies to our customers,
and these vessels with Wartsila’s integrated system based on the use of LNG
further demonstrates Harvey Gulf’s Going Green Vision,” he says.

Pete Jacobs, Business Development Manager, Offshore at Wartsila North
America adds:, “It’s a pleasure to work with a company such as Harvey Gulf
whose management is dedicated to introducing advanced, clean, natural gas
supply vessels. These modern supply vessels showcase Wartsila’s leading
position as a complete solutions provider of LNG propulsion with electric
drive systems.”

“We are witnessing a transformation of the marine industry as it charts
a course towards a new era for natural gas. It’s exciting for Wartsila to be
a trusted partner in this launch with industry leader Harvey Gulf, whose
natural gas supply vessel investment actions of today signal a coming
paradigm shift. This is aimed at capturing operational savings while
simultaneously reducing emissions,” says John Hatley, Vice President Ship
Power, Wartsila North America.

Dual-fuel technology meets economic and environmental targets

Wartsila has been at the forefront in the development of highly
efficient dual-fuel engine technology, allowing the same Wartsila 34DF
engine to be operated on either gas or diesel fuel with full EPA emissions
Tier 2compliance. This dual-fuel capability means that when running in gas
mode, the environmental impact is minimized since nitrogen oxides (NOx) are
reduced by some 85 per cent compared to diesel operation, sulphur oxide
(SOx) emissions are completely eliminated as gas contains no sulphur, and
emissions of CO2 are also lowered. Natural gas has no residuals, and thus
the production of particulates is practically non-existent.

The shipping industry finds the operational savings that gas offers to
be very compelling. Similarly, the significant environmental benefits that
LNG fuel provides are of increasing importance. With fossil fuel prices, and
especially the cost of low sulphur marine fuel, likely to continue to
escalate, gas is an obvious economic alternative.

Drawing from decades of experience in the development and application of
natural gas engines for both the power generation and marine industries,
Wartsila is the global leader in this advanced technology. Wartsila recently
passed the 3 million running hours milestone with its dual-fuel engine
technology.

Wartsila in brief
Wartsila is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the
marine and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total
efficiency, Wartsila maximises the environmental and economic performance of
the vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2010, Wartsila’s net sales
totalled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has
operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wartsila is
listed on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.

http://www.wartsila.com

Harvey Gulf International Marine in brief

Founded in 1955, Louisiana-based Harvey Gulf International Marine is a
marine transportation company that specializes in towing drilling rigs and
providing offshore supply and multi-purpose support vessels for deepwater
operations in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.

http://harveygulf.com

More information about Wartsila 34DF engine
[http://www.wartsila.com/en/engines/medium-speed-engines/Wartsila34DF ]

    Photo: 

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20111007/484983-a

http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20111007/484983-b

SOURCE Wartsila Corporation