WATCH: World’s Second LNG-Powered Dry Cargo Ship, MV Ireland, Launched at Ferus Smit

MV Ireland launche at Ferus Smit, March 19, 2016.

Dutch shipbuilder Ferus Smit has launched the second of two of the world’s first LNG-powered dry cargo ships. 

The MV Ireland (Nb. 435), a dedicated cement carrier, was sideways launched March 19 at the company’s Westerbroak shipyard in northeast Netherlands.

The Ireland and sister vessel MV Greenland, which was delivered in December, are built for JT Cement, a joint venture between Erik Thun AB  and KG Jebsen Cement of Norway.

SEE ALSO: MV Greenland, World’s First LNG-Powered Dry Cargo Ship

The Ireland and Greenland are the first dry cargo ships to be powered by liquified natural gas. The design incorporates a unique LNG fuel tank positioned in an upright position in the foreship. 

The vessels also feature a state-of-the-art cement cargo system, which uses a fully automated cement loading and unloading system that uses compressed air for fluidization of cement.

The MV Greenland was delivered to JT Cement in December and is already in service. 

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