News for the natural gas for transportation industry worldwide
Trailing Suction Hopper Dredger “Samuel de Champlain”
Work has begun at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque on the conversion of the trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) Samuel de Champlain from diesel-electric propulsion to dual-fuel capability combining MGO and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). A ceremony was held at the yard to mark the first cutting of steel for the prefabrication of a new section of hull that will hold the new generators and other equipment. Read more »
Norwegian expedition cruise operator Hurtigruten has signed a Letter of Intent with Rolls-Royce for a major environmental upgrade programme to hybrid power. The main engines on up to nine cruise ships will switch from diesel to Liquified Natural Gas and the upgrade will also include installation of a hybrid battery system. Read more »
Icom North America, a New Hudson MI-based manufacturer and distributor of patented alternative fuels systems to the Americas, and Hiller Truck Tech of Ayr, Ontario have signed an Exclusive Distribution Agreement for Icom Dynamic CNG/diesel and LNG/diesel Dual Fuel Systems for Eastern Canada including Ontario, Quebec and the Eastern Provinces. Read more »
TOTE Maritime Alaska’s LNG-converted North Star
Seaspan Shipyards (Seaspan) says the completion of the the first phase of the TOTE Maritime Alaska project at Victoria Shipyards (VSL) is a clear indicator that its workforce has the necessary skills to successfully complete LNG conversion projects. “We plan to continue to build our reputation as an industry expert for all LNG related work on the West Coast,” said Joe O’Rourke, Vice President & General Manager of VSL. Read more »
$5 million available to replace or repower heavy trucks and buses
The State of Ohio EPA has moved the new application submittal date of March 6 to March 20, 2018, for grant proposals to the new Alternative Fuel Vehicle Conversion Grants program. The extended time line will allow applicants and vendors additional time to prepare their proposals. Read more »
The company ITSAS Gas, part owned by Vasco de la Energía, the Basque Government’s energy agency, has carried out the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering test in the port of Bilbao. The 74 metre bunker vessel Oizmendi, a converted supply tanker, carried out a claimed first bunkering throughout the Atlantic Arc and the Mediterranean, and represents a milestone in the progress towards a cleaner energy supply in the maritime sector, which is highly dependent on petroleum products. Read more »
GFS Corp, a developer of systems that allow large, high horsepower diesel engines to operate on a dual-fuel combination of natural gas and diesel, in mid-December announced it is set to convert Komatsu 930E haul trucks to LNG operation at a mine in Mexico. The company’s EVO-MT® 9300 System allows large mining equipment to use LNG in place of diesel fuel to save money and to reduce emissions. Read more »
Jamaica is entering the era of natural gas powered transportation, beginning with five liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered buses. The government has approved a pilot project to retrofit buses operated by Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC), the single largest carrier of passengers in the Kingston Metropolitan Region. Read more »
In the U.S. State of Ohio, a legislative committee voted recently to approve rules regarding the Alternative Fuels Vehicle Conversion Grant (AFVC) program. This grant will help reduce up-front costs of vehicles powered by natural gas. The AFVC grant will reimburse business owners for a portion of the cost of replacing or converting a vehicle to run on compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG) or propane autogas (LPG). Read more »
Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has been awarded a contract to undertake the conversion of a dredger to dual-fuel capability combining LNG and MGO. This will be the first conversion of its kind to take place in Europe. The contract was awarded by Rouen-based GIE Dragages-Ports with regard to its 117m, 8500m³ trailing suction hopper dredger Samuel de Champlain, and the works will take place next year at Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque. Read more »
