The 75 metres long Atair - to be constructed at the Fassmer shipyard for the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH) and due to enter service in early 2020 (replacing her 30 year old namesake) - will feature Wärtsilä's two 6-cylinder 20DF dual-fuel engines, one 6-cylinder 20 engine (all three with Tier III classification), two selective catalytic reduction exhaust cleaning systems, as well as the company's LNGPac fuel storage, supply, and control system.

Atair's engines will be double elastically mounted to minimise the noise, enabling to obtain the Silent R rating from DNV GL. This will, in turn, allow the sonar equipment to be used without disturbance from underwater radiated engine noise.

The equipment is scheduled to be delivered to the yard in mid-2018.

"Our dual-fuel technology is unique when it comes to small bore medium speed engines, and the extended service intervals and economic fuel consumption of the 20DF engine enable lower operating costs than is possible with high speed engines," Lars Anderson, Vice President, Engine Sales, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions, said.

Kai Twest, Head of Ships and Equipment Division at BSH, added, "As the new Atair will be the first vessel in our fleet with LNG technology, we rely on the experience and expertise of Wärtsilä with respect to the engines and LNG tank equipment. With Wärtsilä's dual-fuel and SCR technologies, the vessel will fulfil the IMO's Tier III regulations in all operational conditions, whether sailing on LNG or on diesel fuel."