Wärtsilä to equip first U.S. flagged LNG Offs...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade and Technical Press release, 7 October 2011

Wärtsilä, the marine industry's leading gas solutions provider, will deliver an
integrated propulsion system based on the use of LNG for two offshore support
vessels for operation in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the first time U.S. flagged
offshore supply vessels will run on clean and efficient LNG, which offers
operational savings and environmental benefits.

Wärtsilä has been awarded a contract in October 2011 to supply liquefied natural
gas (LNG) propulsion equipment for two advanced offshore supply vessels owned by
Harvey Gulf International Marine. These supply vessels will be the first ever
U.S. flagged platform supply vessels (PSV) to be powered by clean, safe and
efficient LNG. The contract includes options for supplying propulsion equipment
for additional follow-on vessels.

Wärtsilä will deliver an integrated system that includes the dual-fuel
machinery, electrical and automation package, complete propulsion, and also the
LNG fuel storage and handling components. The STX Marine Inc SV310DF Offshore
Support Vessels will be powered by Wärtsilä 6-cylinder 34DF dual-fuel engines.
The LNG storage capacity of 290 cubic meters (m3), enables more than a week of
vessel operational time. In addition, the vessels will carry 5520 tons of
deadweight at load line and have a transit speed of 13 knots. The vessels are
scheduled for delivery in two years and will operate in the Gulf of Mexico.

Mr Shane Guidry, Harvey Gulf International Marine's Chairman and CEO, states
that the stringent governmental demands for reduced emissions, together with
predictions that availability of ultra low sulphur diesel fuel will be
restricted, caused the company to consider the use of gas as fuel. "We're
committed to bringing the world's best technologies to our customers, and these
vessels with Wärtsilä's integrated system based on the use of LNG further
demonstrates Harvey Gulf's Going Green Vision," he says.

Pete Jacobs, Business Development Manager, Offshore at Wärtsilä North America
adds:, "It's a pleasure to work with a company such as Harvey Gulf whose
management is dedicated to introducing advanced, clean, natural gas supply
vessels. These modern supply vessels showcase Wärtsilä's leading position as a
complete solutions provider of LNG propulsion with electric drive systems."

"We are witnessing a transformation of the marine industry as it charts a course
towards a new era for natural gas. It's exciting for Wärtsilä to be a trusted
partner in this launch with industry leader Harvey Gulf, whose natural gas
supply vessel investment actions of today signal a coming paradigm shift. This
is aimed at capturing operational savings while simultaneously reducing
emissions," says John Hatley, Vice President Ship Power, Wärtsilä North America.

Dual-fuel technology meets economic and environmental targets

Wärtsilä has been at the forefront in the development of highly efficient dual-
fuel engine technology, allowing the same Wärtsilä 34DF engine to be operated on
either gas or diesel fuel with full EPA emissions Tier 2compliance. This dual-
fuel capability means that when running in gas mode, the environmental impact is
minimized since nitrogen oxides (NOx) are reduced by some 85 per cent  compared
to diesel operation, sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions are completely eliminated as
gas contains no sulphur, and emissions of CO2 are also lowered. Natural gas has
no residuals, and thus the production of particulates is practically non-
existent.

The shipping industry finds the operational savings that gas offers to be very
compelling. Similarly, the significant environmental benefits that LNG fuel
provides are of increasing importance. With fossil fuel prices, and especially
the cost of low sulphur marine fuel, likely to continue to escalate, gas is an
obvious economic alternative.

Drawing from decades of experience in the development and application of natural
gas engines for both the power generation and marine industries, Wärtsilä is the
global leader in this advanced technology. Wärtsilä recently passed the 3
million running hours milestone with its dual-fuel engine technology.


For further  information please contact:

Mr Pete Jacobs
Business Development Manager, Offshore
Wärtsilä North America
Tel. [phone]
[e-mail]

Ms Mirja-Maija Santala
Media Manager
Wärtsilä Corporation
Tel. [phone]
[e-mail]


Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in complete lifecycle power solutions for the marine
and energy markets. By emphasising technological innovation and total
efficiency, Wärtsilä maximises the environmental and economic performance of the
vessels and power plants of its customers. In 2010, Wärtsilä's net sales
totalled EUR 4.6 billion with more than 17,500 employees. The company has
operations in 160 locations in 70 countries around the world. Wärtsilä is listed
on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki, Finland.
www.wartsila.com

Harvey Gulf International Marine in brief
Founded in 1955, Louisiana-based Harvey Gulf International Marine is a marine
transportation company that specializes in towing drilling rigs and providing
offshore supply and multi-purpose support vessels for deepwater operations in
the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.


http://harveygulf.com/

More information about Wärtsilä 34DF engine

Links to images:




Wärtsilä 34DF engine: 


http://hugin.info/131481/R/1552749/478557.jpg

STX Marine Inc SV310DF Offshore Support Vessel: 


http://hugin.info/131481/R/1552749/478556.jpg




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Source: Wärtsilä Oyj Abp via Thomson Reuters ONE

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