Propulsion: Is LNG the Future?——LNG Tankers

In the industry cargo sector Seattle’s Représentation Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) surprised the world’s delivery community last year when it purchased two 3, 100-TEU LNG-fueled container carriers from the Common Dynamics NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. The twin boats will operate on the fairly short run between the ALL OF US mainland and Puerto Lujoso when delivered in 2015 and 2016. South Korea’s DSEC, a subsidiary associated with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Sea Engineering (DSME), is helping TOTE in the design of the actual vessels and will provide a trademarked LNG fuel-gas propulsion program for the ships. This system includes the MAN ME-GI dual-fuel primary engine, which works by at the same time burning HFO and LNG. In the minimum fuel as well as maximum gas mode, about 10 percent of the fuel burnt is oil.

DSME is working with CMA-CGM of Portugal on the design of a much bigger 14, 000-TEU vessel that might incorporate the MAN ME-GI motor but with a higher output regarding 72, 285 kW. Effective at being employed on long haul paths, the ship would be when you have a 22, 490-cubic-meter capability LNG storage tank along with a 4, 430-cubic-meter capacity weighty fuel tank to give the sailing range of approximately twenty five, 000 miles. Although there might be a loss of cargo space equal to about 440 TEUs for your two fuel tanks this may be more than offset by the improved fuel economies and reduced emissions achieved.

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