Wärtsilä and Finnish Border Guard partner to test bio-LNG

96-m long Turva is fitted with Wärtsilä’s dual-fuel engines and has been supported with a maintenance agreement since its launch in 2014. The bio-LNG fuel is supplied by Gasum, Finland’s state-owned biogas refiner.

Wärtsilä said it is confident bio-LNG represents a viable fuel choice for its engines, following close evaluation of the fuel specifications provided by Gasum.

Bio-LNG is a 100% renewable fuel that emits no particulate matter and close to zero NOx and SOx emissions. Gasum claims the fuel can reduce CO₂ emissions over its lifecycle by up to 90% compared to conventional fuel.

Commander Marko Aheristo of the Finnish Border Guard said “The strategy for the Border Guard’s fleet of patrol vessels is to switch to environmentally sustainable fuels wherever possible. Testing the bio-LNG in Turva is an important step forward in fulfilling this strategy.”

“Wärtsilä is investing heavily in developing technology for alternative clean fuels that can drive decarbonisation throughout the shipping industry. We have developed our engine technology to be compatible with the use of such fuels. LNG is already broadly accepted as a viable marine fuel, and we see bio-LNG as a natural next step. We are extremely supportive of this testing programme,” said Wärtsilä Marine Power’s director of R&D and engineering Juha Kytölä.

Wärtsilä is exploring several decarbonisation options including using carbon capture and storage technology on scrubbers and is part of a project that will develop two concept vessels: a bulk carrier using sails to capture wind energy, and a hydrogen-powered cruise ship.