Wärtsilä to launch 2-stroke conversion solution in Q1 2022

The introduction of a simple retrofit solution will overcome a major obstacle in the maritime industry’s efforts to achieve decarbonised shipping operations, by allowing owners to avoid long off-hire charter time.

The modular engine combustion technology platform means that the initial dual-fuel conversion to operate on LNG can be further developed in order to allow for the adoption of alternative green fuels or fuel blends when they become commercially available. 

Wärtsilä notes that the retrofit conversion to operate on LNG fuel would ensure negligible methane slip from the engine.

The development of the engine concept was recently concluded after successful initial engine tests in the Wärtsilä two-stroke engine laboratory in Trieste.

MSC Shipmanagement has collaborated with Wärtsilä throughout the development as a key partner in the piloting and advancement of the platform towards future fuel applications. Representatives from MSC were in attendance during some of the testing procedures.

“We have been following the development of this innovative conversion solution with high interest and we regard it as a supporting element in MSC’s journey towards net zero decarbonisation by 2050. Together with Wärtsilä we have high expectations for the next steps of this initiative, which starts with technology demonstration on one of our larger container vessels with a Wärtsilä RT-flex96C-B main engine, and which will continue to make our existing fleet ready to meet future emissions needs,” says Prabhat Jha, CEO & Group Managing Director MSC Shipmanagement. 

The first commercial conversion project will be completed by mid-2023. The conversion concept is aimed at vessels operating with two-stroke, electronically controlled engines. It is applicable to both large- and smaller bore engine types. 

The world-first feature of the concept is the cryogenic fuel supply system, which together with a revolutionary injection system, provides flexible and optimised operational performance under all conditions. Among the other notable benefits delivered by this future-proofing solution are the capability to comply with upcoming environmental regulations and therefore providing assets with an extended operational life.