Page 20: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 2017)

Timo Koponen, Wärtsilä oices

Timo Koponen

As the maritime world increasingly mulls alternative fuel and propulsion solutions, Maritime Reporter & Engi- neering News discusses the path ahead for LNG with

Timo Koponen, VP, Flow & Gas Solutions, Gas and

LNG, Wärtsilä Wärtsilä.

BY GREG TRAUTHWEIN

Image: Wärtsilä

The road toward acceptance of LNG “I believe that LNG is still the fuel of l of that as marine fuel has neither been short nor the future,” said Koponen, saying that rive straight, but anyone who knows this mar- environmental regulation will help drive tive ket could not reasonably expect anything the change to LNG and other alternative different. “Even though it (LNG) is very systems further faster.

tion well proven both from the technology Ever since the new sulfur reduction side and its bene? t to the environment, regulation was announced, “The number mber said nevertheless there are too many people of inquiries we get has doubled,” said rest, who still doubt,” said Koponen. “If you Koponen. “There is de? nitely interest, look at it on an ‘S curve’ we are still on with new segments coming in, includ-lud- t in the ? rst plateau. The steep hill is still to ing product tankers showing interest in und. come.” There are compelling arguments using LNG as fuel. It is gaining ground. on both sides of the LNG fence, as tradi- It is clear that offshore is already con-con- tional ship owners are comfortable with vinced, and ferries are increasingly com-om- king diesel, the prohibitive favorite fuel of ing around, led by pioneers like Viking choice for generations, while a depressed Line. You are starting to see movement ment ival energy market and the sub-$50 per barrel in cruise shipping – for example Carnival for oil has muted one of the biggest driv- has ticked the box.” ers of LNG from the outset: tremendous fuel savings to offset higher capital ex- In the Name of Research the penditure for the LNG set-up. Neverthe- Most recently Wärtsilä announced the new less, the looming sulfur reduction regula- deal to supply the engines for a new tions set to enter force in 2020, and the LNG-fuelled research vessel being built built tilä inevitable tightening environmental reg- for the German government. Wärtsilä ulations to follow, has Kopenen and his will also supply exhaust cleaning sys-

A typical system arrangement with the Wärtsilä HY for a tugboat appli- colleagues bullish on the future of LNG tems based on selective catalytic reduc- in the maritime sector. tion (SCR) technology and the LNGPac cation, in diesel-mechanical con