France’s GTT awarded LNG fuel tanks order for Pacific International Lines LNG-powered containerships
Gaztransport and Technigaz (GTT), the French designer of maritime liquefied natural gas storage and fuel tanks, has received an order from the Chinese Jiangnan shipyard for tank designs for four very large LNG-powered containerships on order for the leading Asian shipping company, Pacific International Lines.
Each vessel will be able to carry 14,000 20-feet equivalent units (TUE) containers and are scheduled to be delivered from the Chinese yard progressively from the second-half of 2024 through to the first half of 2025.
“The LNG fuel tank of each vessel will offer a capacity of 13,800 cubic metres and will be fitted with the Mark III membrane containment system,” said GTT.
“These tanks will include unique features to facilitate a potential conversion of these vessels to ammonia, giving PIL greater operational flexibility in case of changes in environmental regulations,” added the French company.
In addition to the engineering services and on-site technical assistance, GTT explained that t would assist PIL through every step of their first LNG-fuelled project.
GTT said this would include commissioning of the LNG tanks, first LNG bunkering operations, as well as further specific LNG operations and maintenance of the vessels.
Crew training
Moreover, GTT will provide LNG training for the crews, supported by its proprietary G-Sim® training simulator, which replicates the future LNG operations of the vessels.
PIL will also benefit from GTT’s HEARS® emergency response service with 24/7 technical assistance.
The vessels will also be fitted with the “GTT Digital” platform, a Smart Shipping solution for monitoring and optimising their operational performance as well as their environmental footprint.
“We are very pleased that PIL has selected our fuel tank and that the collaboration with Jiangnan continues with this new order,” said Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and Chief Executive of GTT.
“We are convinced that LNG is the solution of choice to reduce the shipping industry’s carbon footprint.,” he added.
Lars Kastrup, Co-President and Executive Director of PIL, said earlier that the contract to build the four 14,000 TEU LNG dual-fuelled vessels was part of a plan to continue optimising the fleet for key markets.
“At the same time, it is aligned to our total commitment to reducing PIL’s carbon emissions by tapping on the latest technologies available,” added Kastrup.
