Bergen Tankers to Convert Product Tanker to LNG Power

Image: Bergen Tankers

While at the NorShipping conference in Olso, Rolls-Royce signed a contract with Bergen Tankers AS today to convert the Lloyd’s Register-classed chemical and product tanker Bergen Viking to run on two Bergen C26:33L6AG LNG-powered engines, replacing the current diesels. The 45 million NOK project also includes the LNG fuel containment system, ACON LNG fuel and safety control system and all engineering required by Class and National Authorities. Rolls-Royce will also carry out an upgrade of electrical switchboards.

Kjell Olav Haugland, Managing Director of Bergen Tankers commented in an emailed statement today, “For a relatively small ship owner, this change represents a significant investment. However with some financial support from the Norwegian government’s NOx funding programme, we are confident that the solution offered by Rolls-Royce will prove to be cost efficient for us.”

Haugland notes that the NOx funding will be contributed upwards of 32 million NOK for this project and that the total costs incurred by Bergen Tankers will be fully paid back over a 2-year period via the resultant savings in fuel costs. Besides being far more environmentally-friendly, this ship will also have 20-25 percent lower bunkering costs. Delivery is expected in May or June of 2014.

The vessel conversion will encompass the removal of 4 diesel generating sets and the installation of 2 new natural gas (NG) fuelled generating sets, delivered from Bergen Engines AS. The conversion includes also 2 off 150m3 LNG tanks. of IMO type C, installed on open deck.

Bergen Viking is a 95 meter long chemical and product tanker operating along the long Norwegian coastline for Statoil. Delivered in 2007, the vessel is part of a total fleet of six vessels owned by Bergen Tankers AS.