Talking at Gastech 2017 Conference in Tokyo, Sovcomflot CEO, Sergey Frank, focused on use of LNG as a promising fuel for large-capacity vessels, which will significantly increase their environmental compatibility and efficiency.
The company highlighted that the use of LNG as a fuel for tankers meets the expectations of both ship owners and charterers seeking to improve cargo transportation’s environmental footprint . An LNG-fuelled engine emits 90% less sulphur oxides (SOx), 80% less nitrogen oxides (NOx) and 15% less carbon dioxide (CO2) than an engine running on common heavy fuel.
On this context, Sovcomflot is pioneering the conversion of Aframax-type vessel to LNG as a fuel. The company announced the signing of a bunkering agreement between SCF Group and Shell, for the supply of gas engine fuel for SCF’s Aframax tankers, that are specially designed to run on LNG. These tankers will join the Sovcomflot Group fleet at the beginning of June 2018.
“Aframax is one of the key size categories for tankers employed in transportation of liquid hydrocarbons. These are ships that are most in demand to cater for Russian oil exports. Sovcomflot and Shell are initiating the conversion of this segment of large-capacity tankers to gas engine fuel. Sovcomflot aspires to become a leader in the global transformation of maritime transport towards more efficient and environmentally friendly systems and technologies. The market is set a new standard of navigation safety and quality, which is especially important for the operation of ships in environmentally vulnerable areas of the world ocean,” Sergey Frank said.
Sergey Frank also talked about the acquiring of the world’s first ice-breaking LNG tanker, Christophe de Margerie, informing that, on 29 March, the vessel successfully berthed at the gas terminal in the Port of Sabetta (YNAD), becoming the first vessel to do so. The tanker is intended to serve the Yamal LNG project, transporting LNG all year round in the difficult ice conditions of the Kara Sea and Gulf of Ob.
Christophe de Margerie is characterised by high environmental safety: As well as being powered by traditional fuels, the carrier’s propulsion system can also run on boil off LNG.
Source: SCF
