Bureau Veritas (BV) has awarded an Approval in Principle (AIP) for a LNG dual fueled and ammonia fuel prepared very large crude carrier (VLCC). The AiP was awarded at a JDP Delivery Ceremony held at DSIC in Dalian on 27 September 2022.
This AIP is the result of the successful cooperation between China Merchants Energy Shipping (CMES), TotalEnergies, DSIC, and GTT, through their Jointly Design Project Cooperation Agreement signed in 2021.
The project was evaluating the environmental, financial, technical and regulatory implications of a LNG dual fueled VLCC design being prepared for a later conversion to an ammonia dual fueled VLCC.
This new generation of VLCCs powered by LNG features an integrated GTT Mark III membrane containment technology. Engineers and designers achieved a breakthrough innovation by relocating the fuel tank under the main deck to avoid weather exposure, piracy risk and at the same time lower the propulsion systems’ centre of gravity.
The storage tank is compatible with liquid ammonia fuel, giving the owner and charterer greater operational flexibility.
The tank capacity is flexible from 9,000 cbm to 14,000 cbm based on VLCC worldwide shipping routes and complies with the strength requirements of both LNG and ammonia fuels. Endurance with LNG fuel starts from 23,000 nm, while ammonia fuel starts from 17,000 nm at design condition.
The project has also received BV’s LNGfuel dualfuel, AMMONIA-PREPARED notations. EEDI is more than 40% under baseline, NOX emissions meet the Tier III requirements, and estimated CII is projected to be rated A by 2030.
In order to speed up the shipping industry’s decarbonization, substantial efforts in R&D and innovative technologies implementation are needed. Among the various alternative fuels, carbon neutral LNG and e-ammonia are seen as credible pathways towards zero emission targets.
Mr. Wei Zheng, Technical Director, Vice President of DSIC, said on the occasion:
The joint development project has successfully developed a LNG Dual Fueled and Ammonia Prepared VLCC with membrane type storage tank as LNG fuel tank and ammonia prepared by integrating resources of shipyard, energy industry, ship owner, core equipment suppliers and classification society
