Wartsila technology group partnered with Carnival Corporation’s Holland America Line and Netherlands-based GoodFuels, a market leader in sustainable biofuels, to conduct trials of ships running on biofuel blends. In addition to a 70 percent diesel/30 percent biofuel blend, tests were conducted with 100 percent biofuel to determine the effect on overall engine performance as well as engine emissions, according to Wartsila’s release.
Testing was carried out on a Wartsila ZA40 engine installed on board the Holland America Line vessel ‘Volendam’. While there have been previous trials with lower biofuel blends, this is Wärtsilä’s first test on a cruise ship operating on 100 percent biofuel.
Wartsila’s scope includes preparation of test protocols, evaluation of fuel and oil test results, test supervision and post-test analysis, including engine inspections, performance evaluation and measurements of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. .
Biofuel tests support the overall environmental mission, goals and aspirations of Carnival Corporation. They include achieving a 40% reduction in carbon per available day-lower settlement by 2030; expanding its alternative fuels strategy in its liquefied natural gas (LNG) program and battery, fuel cell and biofuel capacities; delivering a 50% reduction in absolute emissions of particulate matter in the air by 2030; and aspirations to achieve net carbon neutral operations by 2050.
In addition to reducing carbon emissions by 80-90%, the sustainable biofuels that GoodFuels provided for this trial allow sustainable scaling of biofuel uptake. The fuels used are derived from raw materials that are certified as 100% waste or waste, with no land use problems and no competition with food production or deforestation.
The close cooperation between the project partners has facilitated the time required for planning and preparation for these tests. Wartsila has a long-term partnership (based on engine reliability and engine performance) with Carnival Corporation as several operating lines have Wartsila solutions installed. Wartsila’s extensive biofuel experience goes back to the first marine biofuel bunkering in 2015, together with GoodFuels and Boskalis.
Wärtsilä is one of the global leaders in innovative technologies and life cycle solutions for the marine and energy markets.
