Posted on March 26, 2025
Technology group Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel engines for a new 18,600 m3 capacity LNG Bunkering vessel being built for Spanish operator Ibaizabal. The engines will feature Wärtsilä’s innovative NextDF technology, which dramatically reduces methane emissions when operating with LNG fuel. The ship is being built at the Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding yard in China, and the order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q4 2024.
LNG is an important transition fuel as the marine industry strives to reduce its carbon footprint. However, the main component of LNG is methane and when burned as a fuel, a very small amount may not combust properly, leading to methane escaping into the atmosphere.
The Wärtsilä 25DF engine has already set an industry benchmark for low methane emissions, down to as low as 1.4 percent at certain load points. The NextDF feature further reduces methane emissions, achieving as low as 1.1 per cent in a wide load range. What’s more, the nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are lower than on the standard Wärtsilä 25DF engine which already has low emission levels below IMO Tier III.
“Our company strategy and commitment is for our vessels to be as environmentally friendly and sustainable as possible. In line with current and anticipated regulations – both at an international and regional level – we carefully evaluated the fuel consumption and emission performance together with Wärtsilä, concluding that the Wärtsilä 25DF engine with the NextDF feature would best support us with achieving our sustainability goals,” says Jose Maria Torre, Fleet Director of Ibaizabal Group.
Torre continues: “Wärtsilä’s state-of-art technology not only represents a major step forward in achieving our own decarbonisation strategy for our fleet, but for the charterer of the vessel. The decision by them to charter this vessel was down to it having the best performance and lowest emissions for that type of vessel.”
The Wärtsilä 25DF engine is the most efficient and most environmentally friendly marine engine in its power range. With its modular, upgradeable, and flexible design, the engine platform helps operators to significantly reduce fuel consumption and emissions, whilst improving the efficiency of vessels. The NextDF feature will enable operators to go even further in reaching their decarbonisation targets. In addition to lower emissions levels, the NextDF feature improves engine efficiency by up to 0.5 percentage points.
In addition to the engines, the scope of supply also includes two Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST) which will deliver superior hydrodynamic performance for maximum propulsion efficiency and dynamic positioning capability.
“The incorporation of our NextDF feature into the Wärtsilä 25DF engine provides enhanced fuel economy together with a significant cut in emissions. We share Ibaizabal’s commitment to decarbonising shipping operations and applaud them for being the first operator to take advantage of this new groundbreaking technology for the Wärtsilä 25DF engine,” comments Stefan Nysjö, Vice President of Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine.
The equipment is scheduled for fast-track delivery to the yard, commencing in September 2025. The ship is expected to be delivered before the end of 2026.
Image caption: Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel engines (pictured) for a new 18,600 m3 capacity LNG Bunkering vessel (picured) being built for Spanish operator Ibaizabal © Ibaizabal
Wärtsilä Marine in brief
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime’s transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.
www.wartsila.com/marine
Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve their environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 18,300 professionals in more than 230 locations in 77 countries is shaping the decarbonisation of our industries across the globe. In 2024, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.4 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.
www.wartsila.com
