Erik Thun, a Swedish fleet owner, has placed an order with technology group Wärtsilä for the engines of four new chemical tankers weighing 7999 dwt each, which will be built at the Ferus Smit shipyard located in the Netherlands.
The vessels will be powered by the Wärtsilä 25 engine, the latest addition to the company's engine portfolio, which is equipped with advanced engine technology, allowing for future-fuels ready and fully decarbonized operations.
The Wärtsilä 25 engine is also known for its fuel efficiency, low emissions, and smoke-free operation at all loads. This order was booked in Q1 2023 as order intake for Wärtsilä.
This latest order will raise the number of Wärtsilä engines installed in ships built at the Ferus Smit shipyard to more than 100. In addition to the four chemical tankers, Wärtsilä also received an order for a Wärtsilä 20 engine from Erik Thun, which is a repeat order from an earlier project.
“Decarbonisation is a key driver for our operations. It makes total sense, therefore, for us to select the Wärtsilä 25 engine,” says Henrik Källsson, Deputy Managing Director of Erik Thun. “We recognise the reliability, fuel efficiency, and compact design of the engine, and the option to operate with clean future fuels is very important to us. We are impressed with the investments Wärtsilä is making by developing these very modern and future-proof engines. We believe the Wärtsilä 25 is the world’s most advanced engine in the 2000 kW range.”
“We have had a long-term partnership with Wärtsilä and have developed a mutual trust over the years. We appreciate their brave approach in enabling the marine industry to achieve decarbonisation via these new engines that are capable of being converted to run on alternative fuels,” says Patrick Kuiper, Mechanical Designer at Ferus Smit.
“We have worked closely with both Erik Thun and Ferus Smit for a number of years, and our companies are all committed to raising the efficiency and sustainability levels needed to make decarbonised shipping a reality. These four vessels reflect that approach, and we are pleased that the Wärtsilä 25 engine has been chosen for them. This really is the way ahead for operators who wish to make the transition to future fuels as smooth as possible,” says Roger Holm, President of Marine Power, Wärtsilä.