Wärtsilä has completed engine conversions on three LNG carriers operated by Chevron’s shipping company, changing them from dual-fuel (DF) to spark-ignited gas (SG) operation. The work is intended to reduce methane slip, the release of unburned methane into the atmosphere.

The conversions address emissions associated with how fuel is used aboard existing vessels. Rather than replacing the ships, the project changes their engine operating mode to target methane escaping without combustion.

For LNG fleet operators considering similar upgrades, the emissions reduction achieved in practice will be a key point to watch. The project’s stated objective is a significant reduction, but the available details do not quantify the result or establish how the conversion might perform on other vessels.

The work also illustrates one way existing LNG carriers can respond to tightening environmental requirements. Whether comparable conversions are suitable elsewhere will depend on the vessels and the requirements applicable to them.