Wärtsilä, the leading Finnish technology group, has announced that it has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT) for its innovative Wärtsilä 32 Methanol engines. These engines will be used to power Van Oord's offshore installation vessel, Boreas, which is being built at the Yantai CIMC Raffles Shipyard (YCRO) in China. This state-of-the-art offshore installation vessel is expected to enter the market in 2024 and will work under the Dutch flag.
The Wärtsilä 32 Methanol engines and the MethanolPac fuel supply system will make Boreas a highly sustainable choice for offshore operations. The use of methanol as fuel is an effective way to reduce the carbon footprint of the vessel by more than 78%. This eco-friendly solution is expected to make a significant impact on the maritime industry and is in line with Van Oord's commitment to promoting sustainable shipping practices.
The Boreas offshore installation vessel has been designed by Knud E Hansen and will be capable of installing wind turbines with a capacity of up to 20 MW. The vessel is also equipped with an advanced jacking system, which enables it to work in waters up to 70 metres deep. The vessel's crane, supplied by the Dutch company Huisman, has a lifting capacity of over 3,000 tonnes.
The successful FAT completion of the Wärtsilä 32 Methanol engines marks an important milestone for the company, which received its first order for five methanol-fuelled engines in January 2022. Wärtsilä's dedicated fuel supply system for methanol, MethanolPac, has been specially designed for methanol-fuelled engines and is known for its reliability and safety.
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