Wärtsilä is to collaborate with ABS and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (HZS) to develop a flexible, modular LNGC vessel concept.
Wärtsilä’s Integrated Systems and Solutions team is working alongside specialists from ABS Global Simulation Centre and Global Sustainability Centre in Singapore, Houston and Athens and HZS’ R&D and LNGC design team in Shanghai, to evaluate the vessel’s performance against the IMO’s carbon intensity indicator (CII) up to at least 2050.
This involves the use of multi-physics modelling and simulation, and the application of various de-carbonisation technologies and solutions to the vessel’s design and operational modes.
Highly flexible
The LNGC will be highly flexible and the entire vessel design will be optimised around a compact, electrified, integrated, and efficient propulsion power solution that will lead to an immediate reduction in CO2 emissions.
The design will also be ready to integrate future technologies in order to stay ahead of the CII requirements.
“The evolving demands of the CII mean vessels will need to be ready to continuously adapt to improve their rating and remain viable for the duration of their operational life. Advanced multi-physics modelling and simulation techniques enable the development of a vessel with a strong CII profile at launch that is also equipped to take advantage of future de-carbonisation technologies as they mature,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President, Global Engineering and Technology.
“We are very glad to work closely together with Wärtsilä and ABS to develop the new generation of LNG carriers offering a low-carbon footprint and low OPEX cost,” said Song Wei, HZS’ R&D Deputy Director. “This state-of-the-art hybrid solution will be developed to power the future LNG carrier, enabling dual-fuel engines to run always at their best efficiency and providing flexible power supply modes to adapt to various load demands.”
“Shipowners are currently faced with unprecedented challenges and uncertainties as they attempt to plan for their fleets to meet the IMO’s CII trajectory of -70% by 2050. What is certain is that this planning must start now in order to safeguard a future-proof newbuild vessel design.
“By optimising the vessel design around a compact, electrified and hybridised propulsion system, remarkably high efficiency will be maintained across a broad range of vessel speeds and power nodes - making it highly suitable to accommodate all needed vessel speed and voyage optimisations in the future,” said Stefan Nysjö, Vice President, Power Supply, Wärtsilä Marine Power.
Second contract signed
Another contract won recently calls for the supply of three Wärtsilä Compact Reliq liquefaction plants to three new LNGCs.
Being built by Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (HSHI) for Knutsen OAS Shipping, the latest orders are options taken following an earlier contract for two vessels.
The Compact Reliq system was introduced last year. It features a compact design for easy installation and maintenance on all LNGC sizes. Based on the reversed nitrogen Brayton cycle refrigeration technology, the solution reliquefies the boil-off gas (BOG) and keeps the cargo cool under all operating conditions.
It allows a portion of the BOG to be used as fuel for the ship’s engines, with the excess able to be sold as part of the LNG cargo.
In addition, last month, Wärtsilä was awarded a contract to supply a complete cargo handling system for a new LNG bunkering vessel.
The ship is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore and Engineering shipyard in China for Fratelli Cosulich, the Italian- based shipping group.
