Totem Ocean Trailer Express has announced that Wärtsilä will supply main engines, generators and integrated LNG storage and fuel gas handling systems (LNGPac(TM)) for the largest LNG conversion ever undertaken in North America.
The contract was signed in 4Q 2013, and executives from both companies met on 17 Feb 2014 in Tacoma, Washington to announce the project.
Totem Ocean's fleet of two Orca Class roll-on/roll-off cargo ships - MV Midnight Sun and MV North Star transport about one-third of all the goods required by the inhabitants of Alaska. Cargo includes essential items such as food, household goods, vehicles, construction materials and military supply support.
As a result of the conversion, the Totem Ocean vessels will set new standards for environmental responsibility by reducing sulphur oxide (SOx) emission by 100%; particulate matter (PM) by 91%; nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 90%; and carbon dioxide by 35%.
"It is an unprecedentedly exciting time to be in the maritime industry. Economic constraints and the need to comply with environmental legislation have combined to accelerate the switch to LNG fuel. Wärtsilä is uniquely positioned to enable this transition since we have been a leader in developing the appropriate technology for nearly 30 years. We look forward to working with TOTE on converting the Midnight Sun and North Star to LNG so that they can realize the benefits that LNG as a marine fuel can provide," Björn Rosengren, president & CEO of Wärtsilä said.
Project Specs
In addition to the equipment, Wärtsilä is taking responsibility for the design, engineering and integration of the system, and project and site management for its scope of supply
"We are seeing a transformative change in the marine industry with the switch from oil based product to natural gas," Quentin Stewart, sales manager, ship power, Wärtsilä North America said.