- Wärtsilä will supply three 25DF dual-fuel engines with NextDF technology for Ibaizabal’s 18,600 m³ LNG bunkering vessel, cutting methane emissions to 1.1%.
- Built at Hudong-Zhonghua, the vessel includes two Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST) for efficiency.
- The 25DF engine meets IMO Tier III standards, improving fuel efficiency and cutting emissions.
- Delivery starts September 2025, with completion by late 2026.
Technology group Wärtsilä has secured an order to supply three Wärtsilä 25DF dual-fuel engines for a new 18,600 m³ LNG bunkering vessel being built for Spanish operator Ibaizabal. The vessel, under construction at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China, will incorporate Wärtsilä’s NextDF technology, which significantly reduces methane emissions when running on LNG. Wärtsilä confirmed the order was booked in Q4 2024.
LNG plays a crucial role as a transition fuel in the maritime sector’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. However, methane slip—where small amounts of unburned methane escape into the atmosphere—remains a challenge, according to Wärtsilä.
The Wärtsilä 25DF engine already leads the industry in low methane emissions, with levels as low as 1.4% at certain load points. The NextDF feature further improves this, reducing emissions to just 1.1% across a broad operating range. Additionally, nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are lower than the standard Wärtsilä 25DF engine, which already complies with IMO Tier III regulations.
Commitment to Sustainability
Jose Maria Torre, Fleet Director of Ibaizabal Group, highlighted the company’s commitment to sustainability and regulatory compliance, stating:
“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.”
Torre further noted that Wärtsilä’s cutting-edge technology played a key role in the vessel’s charter agreement:
“Wärtsilä’s state-of-the-art technology not only represents a major step forward in achieving our decarbonization 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.”
Advancing Maritime Decarbonization
The Wärtsilä 25DF engine is recognized as one of the most efficient and environmentally friendly marine engines in its power range. Designed with modularity, upgradeability, and flexibility, it helps operators reduce fuel consumption and emissions while enhancing vessel efficiency. The NextDF feature further boosts engine efficiency by up to 0.5 percentage points, supporting long-term decarbonization goals.
In addition to the engines, Wärtsilä will also supply two Wärtsilä Steerable Thrusters (WST), ensuring superior hydrodynamic performance, optimal propulsion efficiency, and enhanced dynamic positioning capabilities.
Stefan Nysjö, Vice President of Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine, praised Ibaizabal’s decision to adopt this groundbreaking technology, stating:
“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 decarbonizing shipping operations and applaud them for being the first operator to take advantage of this new groundbreaking technology for the Wärtsilä 25DF engine.”
The equipment is scheduled for fast-track delivery beginning in September 2025, with the vessel expected to be completed before the end of 2026.
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Source: Wärtsilä
