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200,000 DWT LNG-Powered Bulk Carrier Design Granted Class Approval

gCaptain
Total Views: 87
July 5, 2018

File Photo: sunsinger / Shutterstock

Tokyo-based classification society has granted Approval in Principle to NYK Line and Japan Marine United for their joint project on the concept design of an LNG-fueled 200,000 dwt bulk carrier.

The design is based on a similar-sized bulk carrier design developed by JMU.

The Approval in Principle (AIP) is based on ClassNK’s Rule Part GF which adopts IGF Code (regulation for ships using low-flashpoint fuels).

The use of LNG as a main fuel can reduce the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) such as CO2 by approximately 30 percent in comparison to a bulk carrier of the same size using conventional heavy oil. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are also cut by as much as 80 percent, and sulfur oxides (SOx) by almost 100 percent.

“Combining the GHG emissions resulting from ship design together with the use of LNG fuel, the ship will be able to lower its Energy Efficient Design Index, or EEDI defined by International Maritime Organization (IMO), by about 40 percent, exceeding the Phase 0 to Phase 3 reduction of 30 percent,” NYK Line said in a press release.

“This design can contribute to the IMO strategy of a 40 percent improvement in the global shipping industry’s fuel efficiency by 2030, a strategy adopted at the 72nd Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC 72) held in April this year,” it added.

NYK Line said the design and arrangement of the LNG fuel tank and the LNG fuel supply system actually has greater cargo volume and reduced fuel consumption compared to conventional bulk carriers of the same size, despite the added weight of the equipment.

Speaking on the occasion, ClassNK Corporate Officer and Director of Technical Solution Department Hayato Suga said:

“The design developed by NYK and JMU meets the industry’s demand for an increase in cargo capacity while also being environmentally friendly. As a classification society, we have confirmed the safety of the design and are very happy to be involved with this innovative project.”

In March, South Korean shipbuilder Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) received its own Approval in Principle from class society Lloyd’s Register for a 250,000 dwt LNG-powered bulk carrier, which would be the largest in the world.

Currently, the largest (and only) LNG-powered bulk carrier is 50,000 dwt.

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