First Wärtsilä 31 retrofit for Norwegian trawler

The ship’s original 18-cylinder Wärtsilä 32 engine will be replaced with a 10-cylinder vee-line model of the 31cm bore engine, which holds a Guinness World Record for the most efficient medium-speed engine. The vessel will also be installed with Wärtsilä NOx Reducer emission after-treatment system with a compact silencer and its propulsion control system will be upgraded.

The retrofit will have a dramatic impact on NOx creation, cutting emissions by 88 tonnes a year. As a result the Norwegian NOx Fund has contributed “a substantial amount” to the project, improving the repayment period for the owner.

“The investment in retrofitting the vessel will quickly pay itself back in terms of reduced fuel costs and NOx fees. We have been very satisfied with Wärtsilä’s engines and propulsions and consider installing the NOx reducers to two more of our vessels,” said Christian Halstensen, owner and manager, Gardar.

“This agreement shows responsibility from the customer and gives us the opportunity to contribute to more environmentally sound shipping,” added Cato Esperø, sales director, Wärtsilä Services. “We understand that a project like this is an investment financially, but it is also an investment in our future. We warmly support every action that goes beyond meeting environmental regulations.”