UNITED STATES OF AMERICA —Wärtsilä has received an order to provide the marine propulsion and engine systems for the first floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) vessel being developed for the Delfin LNG export project off the coast of Louisiana, United States. The vessel is being constructed by South Korea-based Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI), with Wärtsilä's order recorded in the second quarter of 2026.
The equipment package comprises three Wärtsilä 46DF dual-fuel engines, an exhaust gas treatment system incorporating selective catalytic reduction (SCR) and Oxicat technologies, and three specially engineered steerable thrusters. The propulsion units are designed for inboard removal, allowing maintenance to be performed from within the vessel without requiring external underwater intervention. This arrangement is intended to reduce maintenance-related downtime and improve equipment availability.
A key operational requirement is the vessel's ability to disconnect from its offshore operating position and move to a safer location when hurricanes threaten the Louisiana coast. The propulsion configuration also allows the thrusters to be brought inside the vessel for maintenance ahead of the hurricane season, supporting asset protection and crew safety in a region exposed to severe tropical weather.
The development is significant for the US LNG export industry because floating liquefaction facilities offer an alternative to conventional land-based export terminals. Offshore processing, storage and export can reduce dependence on extensive onshore infrastructure while providing greater flexibility in accessing natural gas supplies. The Delfin facility will be positioned approximately 40 nautical miles offshore Louisiana and connected to existing onshore and offshore gas pipeline infrastructure.
For the marine engineering and shipbuilding industries, the order demonstrates the specialised equipment requirements associated with the expansion of floating LNG infrastructure. Dual-fuel propulsion systems and emissions treatment technologies are increasingly relevant to offshore vessels that must balance operational reliability, fuel flexibility and environmental performance. The equipment package also incorporates maintenance-oriented design features intended to support longer operating periods and lower lifecycle disruption.
Wärtsilä's involvement extends from engineering coordination during the vessel's feed engineering phase to the supply of propulsion equipment. The collaboration with SHI reflects the importance of integrating engine performance, vessel manoeuvrability and offshore operating requirements during the early stages of FLNG vessel design.
Equipment deliveries are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2027, while the vessel is scheduled to enter commercial operation in early 2030. The order provides Wärtsilä with exposure to the developing US floating LNG market, while the project creates additional opportunities for specialised marine equipment suppliers, offshore engineering contractors and shipbuilders. Further FLNG developments could generate additional demand for integrated propulsion and vessel systems as LNG exporters seek flexible capacity to serve international gas markets.
Wärtsilä is a Finland-based technology group supplying marine propulsion, power generation and energy technologies. Samsung Heavy Industries is a South Korean shipbuilder specialising in commercial vessels and offshore facilities, including LNG-related infrastructure. Delfin LNG is a US-based developer of floating LNG export infrastructure.
