OREANDA-NEWS. The world's first ever carrier vessel for compressed natural gas (CNG) is to be powered by an integrated Wartsila propulsion system, chosen for its energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. The vessel is being built at the Jiangsu Hantong shipyard in China ordered by CIMC ENRIC and designed by CIMC ORIC for end user Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the Indonesian state owned energy company. The order with Wartsila was placed during the fourth quarter, 2014.

The new vessel will feature a 9-cylinder Wartsila 34DF dual-fuel main engine operating primarily on gas. Wartsila will also supply the controlled pitch propeller and gearbox, all of which will be fully integrated so as to optimise the propulsion efficiency.

This will be the first dual-fuel powered vessel owned by an Indonesian ship owner. The Indonesian government's policy is to promote the utilisation of natural gas as a marine fuel because of its environmental advantages.

"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. We are proud to have been selected to provide the propulsion system for this ship, which is designed with efficiency and sustainability as the main criteria," says Sanjay Verma, Area Sales Director, Wartsila Ship Power.

"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. Wartsila has always been at the forefront of making it possible for gas to be utilised as a marine fuel, and has tremendous experience and expertise in this area," says Mr Suryadi Mardjoeki, head of oil-based fuels and gas division, PLN.

The 110 metre long carrier is scheduled to be in operation in May 2016 and will transport CNG from Gresik in East Java to the Indonesian island of Lombok where the gas will be used to fuel a power plant.