The technology group Wärtsilä’s has booked the 100^th order for its LNGPac Fuel Gas Supply Systems. Two new shuttle tankers being built for Singapore based AET Tankers will feature Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel auxiliary engines running primarily on LNG fuel, and fitted with LNGPac units. This contract brought the total number of orders received for this innovative system to 100.

The Wärtsilä LNGPac system is based on an IMO type C LNG storage tank with either double-walled vacuum or single-walled polyurethane insulation. Bunkering takes place from the bunkering station to the LNG tank via an insulated pipe. All necessary process equipment is installed in a separate unit which can be either mounted directly to the LNG tank or placed remotely from the LNG tank. The main process equipment ensures correct gas temperature and pressure for the engines and other gas consumers.

First introduced in 2009, the Wärtsilä LNGPac has played an important role in establishing the viability of LNG as a marine fuel. The LNGPac fuel system can be offered as a standalone product, or as part of a complete propulsion system.

A major reason for the global acceptance of LNG fuel for shipping is that Wärtsilä realised at an early stage that more than just a dual-fuel engine and a stand-alone LNG system was needed. LNG fuelled ships require a complete fuel handling system, and the innovative LNGPac system very successfully meets this requirement.

—Mathias Jansson, General Manager, Fuel Gas Supply Systems, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions

The first LNGPac installation was for the chemical tanker Bit Viking owned by Swedish operator Tarbit. This vessel was converted for LNG fuel operation in 2011, and its success paved the way for the rapid acceptance of the Wärtsilä solution. Today the LNGPac is installed on some 12 or more different types of vessel, including passenger ferries, tugs, dredgers and offshore vessels. Wärtsilä can deliver LNG systems for propulsion and power generation for any applicable type of ship or engine.

Since the original introduction of the LNGPac, Wärtsilä has continued to develop the system. The company has, for example, pioneered the utilisation of the cold energy stored in LNG by using it to cool the onboard HVAC and galley system. Another pioneering achievement has been the development of a compact LNGPac with an integrated gas valve unit (GVU) and airlock.

The inline tank connection space for single shell tanks has been developed, as has been a dedicated LNG fuel pump based on the well-proven deepwell pump technology. As the maritime industry moves into a new era of connectivity and digitalisation, Wärtsilä is actively developing more smart features for the LNGPac, such as energy content measurement and real-time gas quality measurement.

The LNGPac system can be customised to the needs of each project on a case by case basis. Dedicated engineering is conducted from the beginning of the project to match the specific operational requirements, safety and classification society requirements.