Wärtsilä has signed a letter of intent with Viridis Bulk Carriers, for the world’s first ammonia-based four-stroke multi-fuel engines developed on the basis of the Wärtsilä 25 engine platform.
Paul Bartlett | Nov 16, 2023
The new propulsors will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by more than 70% compared to a similar diesel-powered unit when measured on a well-to-wake basis, Wärtsilä’s Juha Kytölä, director of R&D and Engineering, told journalists yesterday. This, would enable immediate compliance with both EU 2050 requirements and IMO 2040 targets, he said.
Viridis, a Norwegian joint venture – with partners Amon Maritime, Mosvolds Rederi, and Navigare Logistics – is expected to sign a contract for the new ammonia-fuelled engines early in 2024. The company plans to order a series of new bulkers that will provide short-sea customers with carbon-free shipping options in the European market.
Related: EPS orders more ammonia-fuelled bulkers at Behai Shipbuilding
The Wärtsilä 25engine platform, launched at SMM 2022, has a power output ranging from 1.9-3.1 MW as a dual-fuel engine. Kytölä revealed yesterday that the new engine series will be available with multi-fuel options, capable of operating on LNG, biogas, and bio-diesel, as well as ammonia.
Although green ammonia is a carbon-zero fuel, the Wärtsilä 25 ammonia engine will still require pilot fuel for the ignition and combustion process. The technology company is currently researching carbon-free pilot fuel options, Kytölä told journalists yesterday. This would not mean a carbon-zero operation on a well-to-wake basis, he said, but could significantly improve the 70% GHG reduction that is expected so far.
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The 2024 engine contract is likely to mean that the first engines will be delivered in 2025, Kytölä said, and the price will be ‘attractive’.
