The first conversion of a containership from diesel to clean-burning liquified natural gas fuel will take place next year, international classification society Bureau Veritas, which will class the conversion, has confirmed.

The conversion will take place with the 1,036 TEU containership MV Wes Amelie, owned by German shipowner Haren/Ems-based Wessels Reederei.

The vessel currently has a MAN 8 L 48/60B engine, which will be converted to a 51/60 dual fuel engine driving a controlled pitch propeller. The LNG tank of about 500 cubic meters will be located in the fore part of the vessel to limit the loss of cargo capacity.

The conversion is expected to be completed in 2017. 

Following the conversion, the Wes Amelie will meet Tier III of Marpol Annex 6 regulation.

The project is sponsored by the German Ministry of Transport, with partners including Wessels Reederei, MAN Diesel & Turbo, TGE Marine Gas Engineering, SMB Naval Architects & Consultants and Bureau Veritas. Tecnitas, the consulting arm of Bureau Veritas, is carrying out risk analyses for the new LNG as fuel system and operations like LNG bunkering.

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 to confidently to this new and cleaner fuel.”

“With the conversion to LNG we and our partners showcase our technical expertise and demonstrate practical environmental solutions for the merchant marine industry,” shipowner Gerd Wessels says.