Belgian operator Dredging International (DEME) is building the world’s first liquefied natural gas fuelled offshore construction vessel.
The ‘Orion’ is expected to be delivered to the owners in 2018 and will undertake operations involving the installation of offshore windfarms in locations around the world.
The 210 metre long vessel will be powered by four 9-cylinder Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel electric propulsion engines, and two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel engines.
Ttechnology group Wärtsilä will also supply two custom made retractable thrusters, four underwater demountable thrusters, the Wärtsilä LNGPac storage and supply system, as well as commissioning, site supervision and extended project management services.
The equipment is scheduled for delivery to a Chinese yard in the latter part of 2017.
Jan Gabriel, Head of newbuilding and conversion department at DEME, said: “The decision to utilise clean burning LNG fuel represents our commitment to provide environmentally sustainable solutions for our operations.”
Arthur Boogaard, General Manager, Business Development Special Vessels at Wärtsilä, added: “We are pleased to have been involved in this newbuild project from the conceptual design stage, since this enables our input on providing the most fuel efficient solution.
“We are also delighted that the Wärtsilä 46DF engine has been selected, as the dual-fuel version of this well proven and popular engine has only recently been introduced.”
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