VLGC BW Leo [Image: BW LPG]
Following approval of the style by the Isle of Man Ship Registry, BW LPG is to go on with its strategy to transform the engines of 12 of its Very Large Gas Carriers (VLGC) to double gas LPG procedure.
The conversions will certainly be the very first of a VLGC to operate on LPG. After the conversion the vessels will certainly additionally get the freshly created DNV GL course symbols “GF LPG.”
The flag state approval of the style by the Isle of Man implies that the task has actually been shown to have an equal degree of safety and security to methane as a ship gas under the IGC Code 2016.
“We are very pleased that BW LPG has recognized our expertise in this field and chosen DNV GL as the classification partner for this project,” claimed Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, Chief Executive Officer of DNV GL–Maritime “This acceptance is the result of all of the partners in the project bringing their exceptional competence and experience to come up with a safe and feasible solution for this innovative project. In addition, the knowledge we have gained from working on the project has resulted in us being able to release a new dedicated LPG notation, which we hope will spur the further interest and uptake of LPG as a ship fuel.”
The vessels will certainly be fitted with 2 added LPG cargo/fuel deck containers in freight location, so as not to jeopardize the freight ability onboard.
The ships’ MALE B&W 6G60ME-C9.2 HFO-burning engines will certainly be retrofitted to end up being 6G60ME-C9.5- LGIP LPG-fueled dual-fuel engines.
The ships will certainly utilize a Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS). The LFSS control system will certainly be incorporated right into the ships’ incorporated automation system (IAS).
Using LPG as a ship gas causes considerable reduced discharges to air, practically getting rid of sulfur discharges, and also considerably lowering particle issue and also black carbon discharges, claims DNV GL which keeps in mind that, made use of with a two-stroke engine, LPG can additionally substantially reduce NOx discharges and also lower greenhouse gas emissions., Retrofitting has actually the included advantage of expanding the life-span of the vessel, substantially lowering the total carbon impact contrasted to a newbuilding.
BW LPG prepares to start the conversions of the very first 2 vessels, BW Leo and also BW Gemini, this summer season with conclusion arranged for late summer season 2020. The various other vessels are targeted for conversion at their following drydocking durations.
“The Board and Management at BW LPG continue to emphasize a deep corporate commitment to sustainable development,” claimed Anders Onarheim, Chief Executive Officer of BW LPG. “For us, as the world’s largest owner and operator of VLGCs, this means that we invest significant resources and expertise to pioneer technology that can be used to push our industry towards decarbonization without the need for dedicated newbuilding orders. We thank our industry partners who have worked in close collaboration with us to ensure that this pioneering technology is safe and reliable for implementation.”
