Wartsila Converts Three Chevron LNG Carrier Engines
Engine conversions on three Chevron LNG carriers aim to cut methane emissions from LNG fuel.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Oil and Gas
Wartsila has completed engine conversions on three LNG carriers operated by Chevron Transport Corporation, converting one engine on each vessel from dual-fuel to spark gas operation. Three more vessels are scheduled for conversion later this year and in 2027.
Why it matters
The conversions target methane slip, a potent greenhouse gas released during LNG fuel use, and are available for vessels with existing Wartsila 50DF engines in diesel-electric propulsion. Methane emissions are estimated to fall to 1.1% of fuel use on an IMO-weighted E2-cycle average.
Wartsila converted one engine on each of three Chevron Transport LNG carriers, with three more vessels scheduled for conversion. Estimated methane emissions fall to 1.1% of fuel use on an IMO-weighted E2-cycle average, but measured in-service results were not reported.
The players
Wartsila
Wartsila is a Finnish marine and energy technology company whose Wartsila 50DF dual-fuel engines are used in diesel-electric LNG carrier propulsion.
Chevron Transport Corporation
Chevron Transport Corporation is the shipping arm of the oil major Chevron, operating LNG carriers that carry liquefied natural gas worldwide.
The details
The conversion lets Wartsila dual-fuel engines use spark ignition instead of diesel pilot fuel to start combustion, and an electrically controlled pre-combustion chamber valve optimises combustion and reduces methane slip. The conversion is available for vessels with existing Wartsila 50DF engines used in diesel-electric propulsion.
Timeline
Tuesday, before November 3, 2026: Wartsila emailed an update announcing the completed engine conversions.
Later in 2026: Three more vessels are scheduled for conversion.
2027: Three more vessels are scheduled for conversion.
Market Landscape
The retrofit extends the installed base of Wartsila 50DF dual-fuel engines, which already power diesel-electric LNG carriers, by converting them to spark ignition. Positioning the upgrade as a retrofit for existing vessels gives operators a path to reduce methane slip without new-build ships.
For consumers, the retrofits affect the emissions profile of LNG transport rather than fuel prices or availability, as the source reports no change to pricing or delivery. The work is aimed at operators whose LNG carriers already use Wartsila 50DF engines in diesel-electric propulsion.
The takeaway
Retrofitting existing dual-fuel engines to spark gas operation offers a near-term route to lower methane slip on LNG carriers without replacing whole vessels. Measured in-service results will show whether the estimated 1.1% figure holds once the conversions are running.
What happens next
Three more Chevron LNG carriers are scheduled for engine conversion later in 2026, with three additional vessels slated for 2027.
Further reading
Explore more on Oil and Gas for context on LNG shipping and methane emissions.
