DNV GL presented GTT, along with its partner TECHNOLOG, a General Approval for Ship Application (GASA) statement for the retrofit of very large container vessels (VLCVs) with exoskeleton membrane LNG tanks, during the Marintec China trade fair.
LNG membrane tanks can offer more efficient space utilisation for cargo storage and as fuel tanks. The exoskeleton concept offered by GTT, and developed in partnership with TECHNOLOG, incorporates a structure that can be pre-built on the dock and then installed as a complete unit in the hull of the vessel. This can minimize the construction time of the ship at the yard and eliminates the necessity to go into dry dock.
“This advanced technology is a milestone for cost-effective LNG retrofit and newbuilding solutions for larger vessels. With introduction of LNG as ship fuel there are immediate benefits to ship owners related to a reduced carbon dioxide footprint (EEDI) as well as all other harmful exhaust emissions,” said Hans-Jürgen Voigt, Shareholder and Managing Director of TECHNOLOG.
The solution will be used in VLCVs with a capacity of 14,000 to 18,000 TEU and offers the ability for owners to refit existing vessels with an LNG fuel system. Switching to using LNG as a ship fuel will facilitate a vessel’s compliance with upcoming restrictions on high sulphurs fuels.
“We congratulate GTT and TECHNOLOG on achieving this milestone. This innovative new solution offers forward thinking shipowners another option when they are considering LNG as a ship fuel and will help to continue the development of this important technology. We look forward to building on this excellent cooperation with GTT and TECHNOLOG in the future,” Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO DNV GL – Maritime, concluded.
