Wärtsilä’s green-fuels-ready engines to power Erik Thun’s tankers

Finnish technology company Wärtsilä has been contracted to supply the engines for four new 7999 dwt chemical tankers being built for Swedish fleet owner Erik Thun. 

As informed, the vessels will operate with the Wärtsilä 25 engine, the future-fuels-ready latest addition to the company’s engine portfolio.

The Wärtsilä 25 is a medium-speed 4-stroke marine engine with a future-proof, upgradeable modular structure that makes it easier than ever for you to target net-zero. With the Wärtsilä 25, the shipowner can transition to greener future fuels simply by replacing selected engine components, which significantly shortens the overhaul time and reduces complexity.

“Decarbonisation is a key driver for our operations. It makes total sense, therefore, for us to select the Wärtsilä 25 engine,” said 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.”

The new eco-friendly tankers will be built by Shipyard Ferus Smit B.V. in the Netherlands. The vessels are planned for delivery from 2024 onwards. The purchase is part of the company’s fleet renewal program.

“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,” said Roger Holm, President of Marine Power, Wärtsilä.

The Wärtsilä equipment will be delivered to the yard commencing in Q4 2024, and the first of the four ships is scheduled for delivery in mid-2025.

To remind, Erik Thun recently booked eight more newbuild vessels at Ferus Smit.

The new contracts cover four multi-purpose dry cargo vessels with 5100 mts dwt and Ice class 1B.

The remaining orders for four 7999 mts dwt coastal tankers, are placed by Thun Tankers BV, part of the Erik Thun Group, and adds to the two previously ordered resource-efficient R-class tankers.