Dubai shipyard Drydocks World and Dubai Maritime City (DMC) are supporting the “Green Economy for Sustainable Development” initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of UAE and Ruler of Dubai with the introduction of a Liquefied Natural gas (LNG) -powered tug. The company has entered into Memoranda of Understanding with Wartsila and Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence to this effect.
The project, launched under the trade mark “Elemarateyah”, is part of the Dubai Maritime Green Initiative, a strategic movement to encourage all-round environmental excellence in maritime and allied sectors including oil, gas and energy. The tug will have a dual-fuel engine capable of operating with both traditional MDO & LNG.
The shipping & maritime industry is moving towards an increased use of LNG driven primarily by new emissions standards that will come into place in 2015. The emission requirement globally is driving the industry towards the use of cleaner fuels. Broadly, the LNG efficiency comparison is clearly better than MDO fuel as energy content of LNG is almost double than that of MDO. The cost of fuel is also a driving factor as currently, the average price of LNG is nearly half of MDO fuel. The global reserves of gas are much larger than those of oil & looking at the macro picture the costs of LNG fuel will be further reduced in comparison to MDO in the near future. The global fleet of LNG-powered vessels is likely to increase to 1,800 vessels by 2020 as this alternate energy source is gaining more acceptance as the ‘fuel of the future’ among the global maritime community.
According to His Excellency Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman of Drydocks World & Maritime World, “Dubai is the gateway to green maritime products and services primarily due to its strategic location, excellent infrastructure, modern port facilities and shipyard services. We are building the world’s first LNG-fuelled harbor tug and are wholeheartedly supporting the Government of Dubai’s initiatives. The environmental and economic advantages of using LNG as a marine propulsion fuel are immeasurable. Use of LNG will reduce emissions of NOx and CO2 by approximately 85% and 25% respectively. Our combined initiative with leaders in their respective fields aims to implement LNG technology at our yard and develop appropriate facilities thereby encouraging the commercial use of the technology.”
Drydocks World and Dubai Maritime City will collaborate with Wärtsilä for design, equipment and related support services for the construction of the tug.
Dubai Carbon Centre of Excellence will provide advisory and project management services towards the development of low-carbon strategies. The Centre will identify carbon related opportunities and strategies to consolidate a portfolio of Certified Emission Reductions (CER).
(Source: Drydocks World)
