Wärtsilä will supply the main engines for two environmentally sustainable tugs being built for CNOOC Energy Technology & Services Limited (CETS), a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Offshore Oil Corp (CNOOC). The vessels are the first in a planned series to be fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), and will be the first tugs in China ever to be operated on gas.
These will also be the first tugs globally equipped with Wärtsilä’s DF engine technology. The contract was signed in the beginning of July 2012 and the order is included in the third quarter 2012 order book.
Low Emission Levels
The low emission levels of dual-fuel technology are particularly beneficial for vessels operating close to population centres, as tugs frequently are, while the high fuel efficiency enables lower operating costs. These 6500 bhp tugs will operate along China’s coastline, and will be fuelled from the company’s own bunkering terminals.
The vessels will each be powered by two 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 34DF in line dual-fuel engines. Delivery is scheduled at the beginning of 2013, and the first of the tugs is expected to be delivered in June 2013.
Picture: Wärtsilä 34DF engine
