Wärtsilä Selected to Supply Engines and Thrusters for Delfin FLNG Project
Technology group Wärtsilä has secured a contract to supply dual-fuel marine engines and specialized steerable thrusters for the first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) vessel under construction for the Delfin LNG project in the United States. The equipment order was booked in the second quarter of 2026, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Q3 2027 ahead of the facility’s expected commercial operation in early 2030.
Advanced FLNG Vessel Propulsion and Power Architecture
Under the agreement, Wärtsilä will supply three Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel marine engines integrated with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and Oxicat exhaust gas treatment systems. The power installation is paired with three custom-designed, inboard-mountable azimuth thrusters—the largest ever manufactured by Wärtsilä.
The machinery configuration is specifically tailored for the Port Delfin LNG deepwater port, located approximately 40 nautical miles off the coast of Louisiana in North America. Built by Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) in South Korea, the FLNG vessel will process natural gas delivered via existing offshore pipeline networks.
Operational Versatility and Hurricane Readiness
A critical feature of the FLNG vessel propulsion design is its ability to support emergency disconnect operations during severe weather events. According to Björn Axfors, Lead Engineer Hull & Marine at Delfin, the propulsion setup allows the floating facility to unmoor and navigate independently to safe waters upon receiving hurricane warnings off the Louisiana coast.
Additionally, the vessel incorporates a patented demountable thruster design, enabling crew and maintenance technicians to hoist and service the steerable thrusters from inside the hull without requiring drydocking or disrupting ongoing operations prior to hurricane season.
Supporting Offshore LNG Infrastructure and Marine Decarbonization
The contract reflects broader momentum in the expansion of global offshore LNG infrastructure and marine decarbonization initiatives. By utilizing dual-fuel engines capable of operating on cleaner-burning natural gas and incorporating advanced emission control systems, the facility aims to minimize operational footprint while expanding U.S. LNG export capacity.
According to Wärtsilä Marine Vice President Bernd Bertram, floating energy concepts allow project developers to deploy flexible export infrastructure rapidly while maintaining high operational availability and environmental compliance.
For offshore operators and maritime logistics managers, the deployment of demountable, high-capacity steerable thrusters on heavy floating assets establishes a functional precedent for asset preservation in hurricane-prone zones. By enabling self-propulsion and onboard maintenance capabilities, the design mitigates severe weather operational risks, reduces unscheduled drydocking downtime, and reinforces the viability of offshore deepwater export terminals in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico.
