Haren/Ems-based Wessels Reederei is to convert one of its fleet of 1,036 teu container vessels to LNG as fuel. Bureau Veritas will class the conversion, the first of a container vessel to LNG as fuel world-wide.
The project is sponsored by the German Ministry of Transport and partners are Wessels Reederei, MAN Diesel & Turbo, TGE Marine Gas Engineering, SMB Naval Architects & Consultants and Bureau Veritas.
Philippe Donche-Gay, President of Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore Division says, “Our experience with this kind of conversion on small scale LNG vessels helps the owners and other partners to move confidently to this new and cleaner fuel.”
Shipowner Gerd Wessels says, “With the conversion to LNG we and our partners showcase our technical expertise and demonstrate practical environmental solutions for the merchant marine industry.”
The vessel, MV WES AMELIE, has a MAN 8 L 48/60B engine driving a controlled pitch propeller via gearing. MAN will convert the existing engine to a 51/60 DF dual-fuel engine. The LNG tank of abt. 500 cu m will be located in the fore part of the vessel to limit the loss of cargo capacity.
Tecnitas, the consulting arm of Bureau Veritas, is carrying out risk analyses for the new LNG as fuel system and operations like LNG bunkering. Following the conversion MV WES AMELIE will meet Tier III of Marpol Annex 6 regulation. The conversion will take place in 2017.
