At leading international maritime trade fair SMM, which is currently being held in Hamburg (Germany), Lloyd’s Register (LR) granted an Approval in Principle (AiP) to China’s Jiangnan Shipyard Group Co., Ltd’s (Jiangnan) new LNG dual-fuelled newcastlemax bulk carrier vessel.
Jiangnan prepared the design for the newcastlemax with dual-fuel LNG propulsion, developing an ‘LNG Dual Fuel Package with Piggybacked Type C Tanks’ (LNG-PTC) especially for bulk carriers switching to LNG dual-fuel propulsion to meet the upcoming sulfur fuel oil emission limit.
The LNG-PTC will feature a dual-fuel main engine (MAN B&W ME-GI or WinGD X-DF), dual-fuel auxiliary engines, fuel gas system (high pressure or lower pressure), cylindrical IMO Type C LNG tank(s) and an LNG related safety system.
Jiangnan has applied the LNG-PTC design to a 210k newcastlemax bulk carrier, demonstrating the following advantages:
The ‘piggyback’ arrangement has no effect on the ship’s dimension and structural integrity of hull girder;
All LNG related components are located stern part, with no impact to the cargo handling operation;
Stern hull form and the strength of hull girder are well optimised for providing compensation due to supplemental weight of LNG-PTC;
Full-width stern deck makes full endurance of an LNG dual-fuel propulsion system possible, whilst maintaining comfort level as equivalent to conventional newcastlemax;
A shelter for the LNG tank can be provided as an option for enhancing safety against mechanical damage.
Chairman of Jiangnan, Lin Ou, commented: “Jiangnan has a rich experience and strong capability to provide LNG-PTC for either new building or retrofitting on bulk carriers as turn-key projects. Jiangnan has its own facility and qualified team to integrate the fuel gas system and fabricate Type C tank of the LNG-PTC.”
He added: “When considering longer trade voyages, Jiangnan has another two fuel tank systems (Type B and GTT Membrane) as alternative solutions.”
LR Marine & Offshore Director, Nick Brown, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Jiangnan on this project. LR provided assistance and support in terms of fuel tank design, analysis of support structure and the LNG fuel system application and checked the design against IGF code, LR Gas Fuelled Rules as well as other relevant applicable standards.”
Lloyd’s Register
