Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has received its first order for newbuild methanol-fuelled engines. A new Offshore Wind Installation Vessel (WIV) being built for Dutch contracting company Van Oord at Yantai CIMC Raffles shipyard in China will be powered by five Wärtsilä 32 engines capable of operating with methanol.
The order, which includes the methanol fuel supply system, was placed in November 2021, with the delivery of the equipment scheduled for early 2023.
”We see methanol as one of the alternatives to meet the industry’s goals to reduce its environmental impact,” said Harold Linssen , Project Director, Van Oord.
”We are pleased to be the pioneer of Wärtsilä’s latest methanol-fuelled engine technology.”
Wärtsilä will also supply a package of leading-edge thrusters to the Van Oord vessel for efficient station keeping. This marks the seventh order for Wärtsilä thrusters for WTIVs in 2021.
Designed by Knud E Hansen, Van Oord’s jack-up will be capable of installing wind turbines with a capacity of up to 20 MW.
The 175-metre offshore installation vessel will be purpose-built for the transport and installation of foundations and wind turbines. With a crane supplied by the Dutch company Huisman, the jack-up will be able to lift more than 3,000 tonnes.
The vessel will also feature an advanced jacking system. Four legs, each measuring 126 metres, will allow the ship to be jacked up and work in waters up to 70 metres deep.