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Wärtsilä explains steps taken by Seaspan Ferries to slash 90% less carbon intensity

Wärtsilä explains three measures that helped Canadian ferry operator Seaspan Ferries slash the well-to-wake carbon intensity of one of its vessels by a colossal 90%.
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Wärtsilä explains steps taken by Seaspan Ferries to slash 90% less carbon intensity

Technology group Wärtsilä Corporation on Thursday (23 November) explained the three measures that helped Canadian ferry operator Seaspan Ferries slash the well-to-wake carbon intensity of one of its vessels by a colossal 90%:

Seaspan Ferries Corporation’s cargo vessels provide a vital link between the Canadian cities around Vancouver and neighbouring Vancouver Island. As part of its commitment to reducing air emissions and preserving the pristine local environment, Seaspan Ferries upgraded the engine control software and operational profile of its hybrid ferries Reliant and Swift, slashing the well-to-wake carbon intensity of the vessels by a colossal 90%. 

Seaspan Ferries Corporation (SFC) operates around the clock, seven days a week, and is by far the largest RoRo cargo carrier to and from Vancouver Island. The company has already gone a long way to reduce the environmental impact of its operations – for example, by adopting electrified port equipment and shore power systems as well as through its support for local environmental initiatives. In its latest move to reduce the carbon intensity of its vessels, SFC made three changes to its hybrid ferries Reliant and Swift to make the vessels even more environmentally friendly.

1 – Installing a greenhouse gas reduction package 

The vessels’ engines have been upgraded with the Wärtsilä 34DF greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction upgrade. “This simple and cost-effective control software upgrade can reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of any vessel powered by Wärtsilä 34DF engines,” explains Mark Keneford, General Manager, Sales, Canada, Wärtsilä. The upgrade reduces unburned methane emissions – known as methane slip – by reducing the charge air pressure and air-fuel ratio at key load points. The GHG reduction package also included engine low load optimisation, which further reduces methane slip by disabling some of the engine cylinders at low loads and allowing others to take higher loads.

2 – Switching to renewable fuel 

The Reliant and Swift are both powered by two Wärtsilä 34DF engines, a medium-speed 4-stroke marine engine with fully fuel-flexible operation. The Wärtsilä 34DF engines onboard the Reliant and Swift can run on LNG, MDO or biofuels. Seaspan took advantage of this fuel flexibility by switching to 100% biodiesel for the pilot fuel and renewable LNG for the main fuel when it is available. This switch dramatically reduced the vessel’s carbon footprint in the process.

3 – Upgrading the battery 

SFC upgraded the vessels’ onboard battery capability to reduce engine operating hours. The upgrade made it possible to switch from running two engines at low load, which increases methane slip, to running one engine at a higher load, which further minimises methane slip and other emissions.

Impressive results with a real impact

These three steps reduced the well-to-wake carbon intensity of the Reliant by an impressive 90%. The University of British Columbia confirmed the reduction in a published paper. “We’re really happy with these results,” says Harly Penner, Vice President, SFC. “The improvements fit with our vision of reducing the carbon footprint of our operations while continuing to improve the quality and efficiency of our services for customers in British Columbia.”

Wärtsilä and SFC are continuing to collaborate on solutions to further reduce the GHG impacts of the vessels’ operations. Recently, the Wärtsilä SmartDock autonomous docking system was commissioned onboard the Reliant and Swift to increase safety and improve operational efficiency. These vessel upgrades are all part of Seaspan’s strategy. Naturally, Wärtsilä will be on hand to offer support and expertise as Seaspan continues its decarbonisation journey

Photo credit: Seaspan
Published: 28 November, 2023

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Events

Green Shiptech China Congress to explore alternative bunker fuels and ship technologies

LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be among key issues discussed at the annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai.

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May 15, 2025

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Ridge China on Wednesday (14 May) announced it will be hosting the 14th Green Shiptech China Congress (GSCC), an annual conference which will be held on 25 to 26 September in Shanghai. 

More than 4,400 experts and decision makers from governments, classification societies, shipowners, shipyards, research institutes, technology/equipment suppliers and consulting companies attended the previous GSCC from 2012 to 2024. 

For 2025, over 400 industry experts, corporate decision makers and government officials will be engaged in comprehensive discussions on current issues of IMO, EU, USCG, China MSA’s policies and regulations, designs and standards for new ship models, innovative and sustainable green ship technologies at this annual conference.

Alternative bunker fuels such as LNG, methanol and ammonia as well as fuel cell integration will be part of the important issues discussed at the event. 

Speakers will be from

  • IMO
  • European Commission
  • U.S. Coast Guard
  • China MSA
  • Financial Institutions
  • Maritime Research Institutes
  • Solution & Technology Providers
  • Shipowners
  • Shipyards
  • Classification Societies

Key topics

  • Policies and Regulations Update and Interpretate by IMO, European Commission, U.S. Coast Guard and China MSA
  • Retrofitting Vessels to Achieve Decarbonization Goals
  • Energy Efficiency Continues to Be Key for Decarbonization
  • Decarbonization Through Digitalization
  • Digital Technologies As a Key Enabler for Emissions Reduction
  • Impact of a Hull Coating Upgrade on Hull Efficiency
  • LNG As Marine Fuel: Pivoting Towards Cleaner Shipping
  • Methanol As a Marine Fuel
  • Ammonia’s Credentials As a Green Fuel
  • Wind Propulsion Technology
  • Fuel Cell Integration: Upcoming Challenges and Opportunity
  • Propelling Carbon-neutral Shipping with Green Engines and Alternative Fuels
  • Next-generation Electric and Hybrid Marine Propulsion Technologies and Components
  • Latest Developments in Energy Storage Systems

Interested parties may contact:

Mr. Quin Xu
Tel: +86 21 6607 8610 -8003
Mob: +86 13564222811
Email: [email protected] 

Note: The English and Chinese version of the event website can be found here and here respectively while the event registration can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Ridge China
Published: 15 May, 2025

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Events

China: Over 20 speakers confirmed for Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025

Karim Fahssis, Decarbonization China Head of Maersk, Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO of MMMCZCS, Tan Wee Meng, Chief Projects Officer of GCMD, are some of the key speakers to be featured at the event.
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May 8, 2025

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Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 to be held in Shanghai on 16 May

Shine Consultant, the organiser of Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025, on Thursday (20 March) announced over 20 speakers have been confirmed for the event to discuss key green technology topics related to the shipping industry.

The speakers are key stakeholders in the shipping industry including transportation management departments, international shipping organisations and related industry associations, shipping companies, shipyards, repair yards, third-party ship management companies, ship equipment suppliers, high-tech solution providers, design research units, and research institutions.

With over 300 attendees expected to attend, the Green ShipTech Innovation Asia Summit 2025 will be held in Shanghai, China, on 16 May. 

Themed Diversified Innovation for Sustainable Green Transformation, the summit will set up a main forum called Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Towards Zero Carbon Goals and two sub-forums, Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum and Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum. 

It will focus on key topics such as innovative design methods for green ship types, development and design of methanol dual-fuel ship types, prospects and challenges of ammonia fuel application, and new marine fuels and supply systems. 

Speakers for the summit include:

  • Sun Haihua, Deputy Director of Shanghai Arbitration Commission, Deputy Chairman and Secretary-General of Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization
  • Yan Wei, Vice President, Shanghai Maritime University
  • Bo Cerup-Simonsen, CEO, Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping
  • Lu Yanhui, Vice President, COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd
  • Wu Jianyi, Chief Engineer & General Manager of the Ship Technology Center, China Merchants Energy Transportation Co., Ltd. (CMES)
  • Karim Fahssis, Decarbonization China Head, Maersk
  • Liu Jianfeng, Chief Technologist, Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co., LTD.
  • Keiichiro Nakanishi, Managing Executive Officer, MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.)
  • Vivi Wong, Head of Digital Products, Greater China, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
  • Li Zhonggang, Vice President, China Ship Design & Research Center Com.,Ltd. (CSDC)
  • Zhang Qingsheng, General Manager of Shanghai Fujian Guohang Ocean Shipping Management Co., Ltd., President Assistant of Fujian Guohang Ocean Shipping (Group) Co.,Ltd.
  • Bai Junli, Deputy Director of Innovation & Development Center, Wuchang Shipbuilding Industry Group Co., LTD.
  • Tan Wee Meng, Chief Projects Officer, Global Centre for Maritime Decarbonisation
  • John Kollander, General Manager Stena RoRo Asia & Owners Representative China, Stena RoRo
  • Thibaut Raeis, Business & Technical Solutions Director, GTT China
  • Li Zhengjian, Chief Expert/Senior Engineer, the Chinese Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
  • Yuan Chao, General Manager of Strategy and Investment, CSSC (Hong Kong) Shipping Company Limited
  • Pan Jinfeng, General Manager of Digital Intelligence Promotion Department, COSCO Shipping (Qidong) Offshore Co., Ltd
  • Zhu Feng, Head of the Ballast Water Convention Research Office, Hebei Maritime Safety Administration
  • Gou Yingdi, Director of Sustainable Development and General Manager of the Technology and Development (Innovation) Center, Seacon Shipping Group
  • Yang Lixin, Deputy Secretary-General, Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization
  • Zhao Cuiyun, Deputy Director of the Institute for the Construction of the Shipping Center and Director of the Green Shipping Research Office, Shanghai International Shipping Institute

Conference Framework

16 May (am)

Sub-Forum I: Green Development Strategies and Pioneer Practices Towards Zero Carbon Goals

16 May (pm)

Sub-Forum II: Green Shipbuilding and Retrofitting Forum
Sub-Forum III: Green Shipping Ecosystem Cooperation Forum

Key Topics

  • Maritime regulatory focus under policy guidance towards zero-carbon goals
  • Global green ship type product key technologies and applications
  • Analysis of paths to improve the efficiency of existing ships
  • How shipping companies can achieve sustainable green transformation
  • Green ship technology practices and future prospects
  • Innovative design methods for green ship types
  • Development and design of methanol dual-fuel ship types
  • Innovation and application of ship engines and propulsion systems
  • Technological application and outlook of wind energy as auxiliary power for ships
  • Prospects and challenges of ammonia fuel application
  • Innovation in new marine fuels and supply systems
  • Upgrading of ship battery systems to meet shipping emission reduction
  • Fluid power energy-saving technology and practice to promote the green and low-carbon development of the shipping industry
  • Green ship repair, intelligent painting and VOCs management in ship and marine engineering
  • Exploration and practice in digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of the ship repair and modification industry
  • Practice of ship energy consumption data analysis and carbon intensity management
  • SCR technology innovation for NOx reduction in ship diesel engines
  • The latest technological applications of “carbon capture” in the shipping industry
  • Ballast water management systems in line with international standards
  • Shore power systems combined with green electricity to assist shipping decarbonization
  • Supply status and choice analysis of the marine green fuel market

Host:

  • Shanghai International Shipping Center Development and Promotion Organization

Co-organisers:

  • Shanghai Maritime University 
  • Shanghai Institute of Navigation
  • Jiangsu Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Shanghai Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Jiangsu Society of Naval Architects And Marine Engineers

Supporting Organisations:

  • Shanghai Port Association
  • Hubei Association of Shipbuilding Industry
  • Shanghai International Shipping institute

Organizer:

  • Shine Consultant International Ltd

Interested parties may contact:

Yulia Zhang
T: (+8621) 6095 7179
M:(+86) 158 3615 6079 (Also on WeChat）
E-mail: [email protected]  

Note: More information on the summit, including registration, can be found here. 

 

Photo credit: Shine Consultant
Published: 8 May, 2025

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Incident

Debris in lube oil caused engine room fire onboard passenger vessel in 2023, says NTSB

NTSB investigators found that debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard “Ocean Navigator” docked in Portland, Maine.

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April 24, 2025

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Debris in lube oil caused engine room fire onboard passenger vessel, says NTSB

Debris in an engine’s lube oil system led to a diesel engine failure and an engine room fire aboard a passenger vessel docked in Portland, Maine, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said Tuesday (22 April).

The passenger vessel Ocean Navigator was moored at the Ocean Gateway Terminal on 18 October 2023, when the no. 2 auxiliary diesel generator engine suffered a catastrophic mechanical failure that seriously injured one crew member and resulted in an engine-room fire. Crewm embers secured ventilation to the engine room, and the fire self-extinguished. None of the 128 passengers onboard were injured, and no pollution was reported. Damage to the vessel was estimated at USD 2.4 million. 

After the fire, third-party technicians disassembled all components from the no. 2 auxiliary engine and found the crankshaft, several main bearings, connecting rod bearings and the no. 14 fuel injector were damaged. An additional inspection found abnormal wear on the connecting rod bearings and main bearings, which showed signs of cavitation erosion bearing damage, as well as damage from debris, which had been introduced at some point into the lube oil system.

NTSB investigators found the engine failure was caused by debris in the engine’s lube oil system—possibly due to the crew exceeding manufacturer-recommended intervals for changing the lube oil and oil filter elements—which caused catastrophic mechanical damage to the engine and a subsequent fire from the ignition of atomise lube oil released through the engine’s ruptured crankcase.

The crew had last changed the entire quantity of lube oil for the no. 2 auxiliary engine in September 2022—about 13 months before the engine failure—but the engine had operated more than 5,000 hours with this lube oil in the engine, five times longer than the manufacturer’s recommendation. Additionally, since the last change of the lube oil filter elements in May 2023, the engine had run over 3,000 hours. 

The engine manufacturer’s recommendation is to replace filter elements at every oil change or after the filter elements had been used for 1,000 hours.

“Manufacturers provide maintenance recommendations and intervals (schedules) to ensure equipment operates safely, optimally, and reliably throughout its service life,” the report said. 

“By regularly reviewing equipment manufacturer manuals and guidance, operators can ensure conformance with recommended maintenance plans and mitigate the risk of equipment malfunction or failure.” 

NTSB also found the crew’s quick action to secure engine room ventilation and engine fuel sources prevented the fire from spreading.

“Engine rooms contain multiple fuel sources as well as mechanical ventilation, making the spaces especially vulnerable to rapidly spreading fires,” the report said. 

“After an engine room fire ignites, it is imperative to remove the sources of available fuel and ventilation to the fire to prevent it from spreading. Vessel crews should familiarise themselves and train frequently on machinery, fuel oil, lube oil, and ventilation shutoff systems to quickly act to contain and suppress engine room fires before they can spread to other spaces.”

Note: Marine Investigation Report 25-13​ is available online.​

 

Photo credit: National Transportation Safety Board
Published: 24 April, 2025

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