Global energy and marine technology provider Wärtsilä Corporation and COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co. Ltd (CHI) have been jointly developing a natural gas operating fleet concept, the design for which has now obtained Lloyd’s Register’s (LR) Approval in Principle (AiP) certificate. The project was carried out under the terms of a MoU cooperation signed in June 2016 between the three companies. All fleet vessels will include Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines abe to operate using Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The aim of the concept is to offer global operators a more efficient and economical fleet design that meets current and anticipated environmental requirements according to the classification rules. The fleet comprises four vessels; a pusher tug, LNG storage barge, LNG regasification barge, and a floating liquefaction natural gas barge. The pusher tug can be used to transport the three barges.
The concept’s main advantages are its operative flexibility, and the fleet’s competitive CAPEX and OPEX costs. The pusher tug makes all the units mobile and transportable. The number and choice of units will depend on the project.
It is expected that when ordered, the fleet vessels will include the following Wärtsilä equipment: dual-fuel (LNG/marine oil) engines and steerable thrusters, LNGPac gas storage and supply system, liquefaction module, LNG cargo handling system and a regasification module.
“This is a new and innovative fleet concept that is designed to create better efficiencies for companies involved in any part of the natural gas supply chain,” says Sanjay Verma, Director, Business Development, South East Asia, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.
“LR has completed a preliminary hazard identification (HAZID) study for this innovative design. This study covered the fuel gas supply system, the transfer of LNG between the vessels, as well as the mooring arrangement of the fleet, and as a result the Approval in Principle certificate has been issued,” says Ms Wei Ying, Principal Specialist & General Manager, Shanghai Technical Support Office, Lloyd’s Register Marine & Offshore.
(Source: Wärtsilä Corporation)
