Wärtsilä has obtained certification of emission standard compliance from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines. It is the first dual-fuel engine to receive the certificate.
The certification was obtained on 17 January 2013.
LNG Ever More Popular
The company anticipates that market demand in the USA for its range of dual-fuel engines will further increase. The first engines will equip the Harvey Energy, an offshore supply vessel built for Harvey Gulf International Marine. Four sister vessels will shortly be supplied with the same engines, further demonstrating both the viability of LNG as a marine fuel and its growing popularity among ship owners and operators. LNG fuelled vessels offer compelling operational cost savings and significant environmental benefits.
EPA Certification
EPA certification applies to US flagged vessels. The dual-fuel engine capability enables ships to be operated on either conventional liquid marine fuels or LNG. The switch between fuels can be made seamlessly without loss of power or speed. Such fuel flexibility enables compliance with emission regulations in controlled areas, while giving operators the option of determining the fuel according to cost and availability.
US EPA
The EPA is an agency of the United States federal government. It was created for the purpose of protecting human health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress. The agency also works with industries and all levels of government in a broad variety of voluntary prevention programmes and energy conservation efforts. The EPA was established in 1970.
Picture: The Wärtsilä 34DF
