Sanmar Shipyard tug powered by Rolls Royce LNG fueled engines
The world’s first Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) fuelled escort tug has been launched by Sanmar from its construction hall into the waters of Tuzla Bay near Istanbul.
Rolls-Royce congratulated Sanmar Shipyard for the completion of the world’s first gas powered tug, in a ceremony in Istanbul, Turkey.
Sanmar has completed the first of two tugs for Norwegian customer Buksér og Berging, which each feature twoRolls-RoyceBergen C26:33L6PG engines fueled purely by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The first boat, namedBorgøy, will enter service next month following a series of sea trials. It will be operated by Norwegian state oil company Statoil at its Kårstø gas terminal.
TheRolls-Roycepropulsion package includes the gas tank and supply system and two of the latest design US35 azimuth thrusters that ensure the tugs have rapid manoeuvring and positioning capabilities – essential for tug operation.
Neil Gilliver,Rolls-Royce, President – Merchant, said: “The completion of this vessel is highly significant forRolls-Royce, Sanmar Shipyard and Buksér og Berging. We are extremely proud to have worked together on this successful project which heralds a new era for tug boat propulsion.
“Gas is gaining in popularity as a maritime fuel, and its environmental credentials, combined with lower costs are seeing many operators select it over traditional fuels, across a range of ship types.
“Most of the world’s tug fleets operate close to shore, where emissions regulations are most stringent. As LNG becomes more widely available, I have no doubt that many major ports will soon opt for this clean, lower cost and smoke-free fuel to power their tugs.”
Borgøy – World’s first LNG powered tugboat
(Image Credit: Sanmar Shipping)
The combination ofRolls-Roycegas engines and the latest thruster design, mean that theBorgøy and its sister vessel’s CO2 emissions, will be around 30 per cent lower than conventionally-fuelled tugs. They will also comply with all known future emission regulations.
