Wärtsilä completes unique conversion of vesse...

Wärtsilä Corporation, Trade & Technical Press release, 23 November 2011

The product tanker 'Bit Viking' was the first vessel ever to undergo a
conversion by Wärtsilä from heavy fuel oil to liquefied natural gas (LNG)
operation. The conversion enables the 'Bit Viking' to qualify for lower nitrogen
oxide (NO(X)) emission taxes under the Norwegian NO(X )fund scheme.

The unique fuel conversion of the product tanker 'Bit Viking', from heavy fuel
oil to gas operation, has been finalised and in October the vessel was handed
over to the customer, Tarbit Shipping. The re-commissioned vessel is operated by
Statoil along the Norwegian coastline, and the conversion carried out by
Wärtsilä enables it to qualify for lower NO(X) emission taxes under the
Norwegian NO(X) fund scheme. The fund is a cooperative effort whereby
participating companies may apply for financial support in return for
introducing NO(X) reducing measures. Furthermore, liquefied natural gas (LNG)
operation means lower carbon oxide emissions, and virtually no sulphur oxide or
particle emissions whatsoever.

First marine dual fuel (DF) conversion

This is the first marine installation in the world to involve converting
Wärtsilä 46 engines to Wärtsilä 50DF engines, and the first 50DF marine
installation with mechanical propulsion. By operating on LNG, the 'Bit Viking'
becomes one of the most environmental friendly product tankers in the world.

In August 2010, Wärtsilä announced that it had signed a turnkey project with
Tarbit Shipping to convert the 'Bit Viking' to LNG operation. The scope of the
conversion package from Wärtsilä included deck-mounted gas fuel systems, piping,
two six-cylinder Wärtsilä 46 engines converted to Wärtsilä 50DF units with
related control systems and all adjustments to the ship's systems necessitated
by the conversion. The vessel's classification certificate was also updated. The
engines are connected directly to the propeller shafts through a reduction
gearbox, thus avoiding the electrical losses that are an unavoidable feature of
diesel-electric configurations. This enables a significant improvement in
propulsion efficiency, reduced fuel consumption, and corresponding reductions in
emissions. This is the first LNG fuelled vessel to be classified by Germanischer
Lloyd.

New LNG storage system

The 'Bit Viking' utilises Wärtsilä's new LNGPac system, which enables the safe
and convenient onboard storage of LNG. The two 500 cubic metre LNG storage tanks
are mounted on the deck to facilitate bunkering operations and permit the
bunkering of LNG at a rate of 430 cubic metres per hour. The storage tanks
provide the vessel with 12 days of autonomous operation at 80 per cent load,
with the option to switch to marine gas oil if an extended range is required.
When visiting EU ports, which have a 0.1 per cent limit on sulphur emissions,
the vessel operates on gas.

"Wärtsilä's unique expertise and experience with dual fuel technology, as well
as with fuel conversion projects, were the main reasons for us choosing them. We
appreciate the technological efficiency of the Wärtsilä solutions and the expert
way in which this conversion project has been handled. We are proud that the
'Bit Viking' is now one of the world's most environmentally sustainable tankers
in operation," says Anders Hermansson, Technical Manager, Tarbit Shipping.

"This is a major step for Wärtsilä in consolidating its market leading position
in LNG solutions for the shipping industry. The successful sea trials with this
vessel provide yet further validation of the viability of LNG as the marine fuel
of the future. We anticipate that this development will rapidly accelerate
during the coming few years," says Sören Karlsson, General Manager, Gas
Applications, Ship Power Technology.
.

Link to image of Bit Viking
Source: Tarbit Shipping

Wärtsilä press release 31 August 2010:
Wärtsilä and Tarbit Shipping sign contract to convert tanker to LNG operation
for reduced NOX emissions

Wärtsilä press release 20 September 2011:
Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines exceed 3 million running hours

Read more about Wärtsilä Services

Read more about Wärtsilä Marine Solutions for Merchant

For further information, please contact:

Tero Karjalainen
General Manager, Project Management, Services
Wärtsilä Finland Oy
Tel. [phone]
[e-mail]

Tuula Franck
Senior Manager, Media and Stakeholder Relations
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

Tarbit in brief
Tarbit Shipping AB is a Sweden-based company that has been transporting bitumen,
petroleum products and chemicals since 1962. Tarbit Shipping AB operates a fleet
of tankers with cargo capacities ranging from 6.314 to 25.000 tdw and services
customers throughout Europe, Mediterranean, Black Sea, West Africa and the
Caribbean. The shipping company is characterised by high environmental safety, a
sense of responsibility and effectiveness.


http://www.tarbit.se/





Bit Viking: 


http://hugin.info/131481/R/1565989/486146.jpg




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Source: Wärtsilä Oyj Abp via Thomson Reuters ONE

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