Wärtsilä propulsion for first CNG carrier

The 110m long vessel is being built at the Jiangsu Hantong shipyard in China. It was ordered by CIMC ENRIC and designed by CIMC ORIC for end user Perusahaan Listrik Negara, the Indonesian state-owned energy company. The carrier will transport CNG from Gresik in East Java to the Indonesian island of Lombok.

The vessel will run mainly on gas, following the Indonesian government’s policy of promoting gas as an environmentally responsible marine gas. It will be the first dual-fuel vessel for an Indonesian owner.

Wärtsilä said its system was chosen for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. “This first ever CNG carrier to be built is indicative of the growing importance of natural gas as a fuel for both land based and marine applications,” added Sanjay Verma, area sales director, Wärtsilä Ship Power.

Suryadi Mardjoeki, head of oil-based fuels and gas division, PLN said: “We expect that this CNG carrier will be a model for other Indonesian owners as the government’s policy is to promote energy efficient and cleaner sea transportation through the use of gas-fuelled engines.”