Nor Lines orders LNG-fuelled cargo ships for coastal operations
Nor Lines AS, the Norwegian logistics and shipping company based in Stavanger, has ordered two liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled cargo vessels, for operations along the west coast of Norway. The ship design has been developed in close cooperation with Rolls-Royce Maritime, using the Group’s award-winning “Environmental Ship Concept” which won the “Next Generation Award” at this year’s NorShipping event held in May in Oslo.
Nor Lines and its owner, the Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab (DSD), see natural gas as a the fuel of the future for ships, utilisation of which further enhances the environmentally friendly nature of sea transport over land transport. The company argues that Norway will gain considerable benefit from natural gas fuelled shipping and hopes the government will also create conditions more conducive to increased use of sea transport of general cargo, including an adjusted tax regime and improved regulatory framework, explains CEO of Nor Lines, Toralf Ekrheim.
“Nor Lines investment in new natural gas-driven environment ships to (near the sea routes) is proof that we have believe in such exciting and sustainable development. We hope the government comes up with positive measures,” he said in a company press release.
Each of the 5,000 dwt ships will have a capacity equivalent to at least 200 truck loads, with improved efficiency and flexibility compared with current ships.
The ships will be built at Tsuji Heavy Industries (Jiangsu) Shipyard, China. Delivery of the new ships is expected in October 2013 and January 2014. Nor Lines also have an option to build two additional vessels of the same class.
The vessels incorporate a wave piercing bow, gas powered engines and a Promas propulsion system, which combined, significantly improve the overall performance of the vessel – increasing fuel efficiency by up to 18 per cent.
Design of the Environship displayed LNG storage and the Promas propulsion system
The Rolls-Royce Bergen B-Series lean burn gas engines, as used in the Environship, emit around 17 per cent less CO2 (per unit of power) than a comparable diesel engine. The use of gas fuelled engines means that Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions are reduced by about 90 per cent while Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions are negligible. These emissions are already within the limits of IMO (International Maritime Organisation) Tier III environmental legislation, due to come into force in 2016.
Ekrheim said: “We have had a fruitful cooperation with Rolls-Royce for more than two years, developing vessels that are tailor made for our trade and incorporate the latest award-winning energy saving and emission reducing features.”
Oddbjørn Eliassen, Rolls-Royce, President – Merchant said: “The Environship concept is a transformational development for merchant shipping, offering significant reductions in fuel burn and emissions, as well as enhanced performance at sea.”
Maritime Propulsion reports a single Rolls-Royce Bergen LNG propulsion engine is used as, compared to other brands, the Bergen has spark ignition and operates solely on LNG and does not require pilot injection of liquid diesel fuel. The engine specified is a Bergen B Series lean burn gas engine type B35:40 V12 developing 3,930 kW (5,268 hp) at 750 rpm. The LNG fuel tank has a 14,125 cubic ft (400 m3) capacity offering a range of about 3,400 nautical miles.
