Singapore-headquartered BW LPG, part of the BW Group, has exercised an option with South Korea’s STX Heavy Industries covering the retrofit of four more of its Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGCs) to a dual-fuel configuration. This will allow them to burn a portion of their LPG cargos as fuel.
Exercise of the option follows Type Approval Testing of a prototype engine and system by STX that exceeded expectations.
MAN Energy Solutions will now oversee the conversion of four MAN B&W 6G60ME-C9.2 HFO-burning engines to 6G60ME-C9.5-LGIP (Liquid Gas Injection Propane) LPG-fueled dual-fuel engines this year, followed by a second set of retrofits next year.
Finland’s Wärtsilä has been designated as the system integrator for the project and will supply its LPG Fuel Supply System for the converted vessels as well as a number of required ship design modifications.
The ability of the tankers to burn LPG is expected to result in reduced air emissions as well as lower fuel and operating costs.
