Classification Society ABS, has teamed up with partners Arista Shipping, Deltamarin, GTT and Wartsila in the “Project Forward” joint development project (JDP) to develop a dry bulk carrier concept that employs LNG as fuel.The project was presented to the trade media at Posidonia 2016 trade fair.
The project brings LNG as a fuel out of ECA zones and into deep-sea trading,when fuelling of LNG necessary at major ports only.The LNG infrastructure required to serve “Project Forward” is developing, and local gas supply is increasing.
The goal is to develop a dual fuel configuration Kamsarmax bulk carrier design to be the first of this type suitable for worldwide services powered by LNG in compliance with the International Maritime Organization’s Energy Efficiency Design Index 2025 standards, NOx Tier III and Marpol Annex VI SOx emission levels. This landmark design will be the first LNG-fueled cargoship capable of full-range operations.
Why LNG:
Emissions and regulations
- SOx NOx PM and CO2
- Global and Local limits (ECA zones)
- Additional local regulations
- EEDI
- Discusions on new ECAs
Econimics
- Oil prize uncertainty
- Low sulfur fuel availability
- Abundance of shale gas
- Geopolitical stability
“The long-term potential for LNG as a marine fuel is tremendous.We see the near-term opportunities for larger vessels on fixed and known trade routes, but more opportunities will emerge as concepts mature and bunkering infrastructure expands. Environmental stewardship will continue to be a concern, and owners will be evaluating alternative fuel choices.”says ABS Vice President of Global Gas Solutions Patrick Janssens.
The concept is based on the highly optimized Deltamarin B.Delta 82 design, utilizing a GTT membrane LNG fuel tank. The GTT representative detailed the membrane-type tanks for the LNG containment system designed by GTT .
” The design by Deltamarin is suitable for both smaller and larger bulk carrier and may also serve as the basis for an LNG -powered tanker design.This new design is the first truly deep sea LNG- fuelled ship design applicable to various sizes od bulk carriers.”
“The use of melbrane tanks is considered a novelty in this design.” he added
GTT Melbrane Tanks
- melbrane tanks present the highest volumetric efficiency & geometrical flexibility of any currently available LNG containment system
- Less loss of cargo space & less loss of DTW vs.Type B or A tanks
- Ideal for large dry or wet cargo ships
According to Dionisios Antonopoulos,General Manager,Marine Solutions Sales,Wartsila Greece S. another novel component is the use of Wärtsilä 31, the first of a new generation of medium speed engines, designed to set a new benchmark in efficiency and overall emissions performance. The Wärtsilä 31 is available in 8 to 16 cylinder configurations and has a power output ranging from 4.2 to 9.8 MW, at 720 and 750 rpm. The launch of the Wärtsilä 31 introduces a 4 stroke medium speed Wartsila engine featuring twin stage turbocharging with power take off and controllable pitch propeller,without auxiliary generator engines, having the best fuel economy of any engine in its class.
Wartsila 31
- Top efficiency
- Low pressure gas admission(,16bar)
- Multi fuel engine offering flexibility
- IMO Tier III on gas
- Optimized maintenance costs
The use of four-stroke engine makes the difference to the concept and supports its use on other ship types as well .
All things considered, “Project Forward” compromises a unique combination of factors that make it attractive to shipyards,including the experience of participants in developing real world LNG as a fuel projects and long standing contacts with Asian shipyards building conventional and LNG powered tonnage.
ABS will provide the Approval in Principle for the concept. This is expected in coming weeks, after which the ship owner Arista Shipping will be able to pursue opportunities to select a ship yard partner.
Further details may be found by watching the video video posted by Arista Shipping below
https://youtu.be/FUnchcC-FWs
Image credit: ABS
