LNG

SEA-LNG, the multi-sector industry coalition established to demonstrate the benefits of the LNG fuel for shipping, has signed up the New York Stock Exchange-listed US containership and transport company Matson serving commercial life-line services to South Pacific Islands and Hawaii, Guam and Alaska.

“We are pleased to have such a well renowned carrier and logistics company as Matson onboard,” declared Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG.

“With its long history of positive innovation in the important and environmentally sensitive markets it serves, Matson will add valuable expertise to the coalition,” explained Keller.

“We are also pleased to be able to help the company achieve its critical decarbonisation aims through the LNG pathway,” stated the Chairman.

US-China

In addition to its South Pacific services Matson also provides economic links between China and Long Beach, California, and between the US and Okinawa in Japan.

Another premium located served by Matson is Dutch Harbor on Amaknak Island in Alaska.

SEA-LNG said that Matson’s core values align well with those of the alliance with the company prioritising the environment, safety, innovation and integrity in all of its operations.

“Matson is already working collaboratively across the shipping industry to promote positive change and to mitigate the industry’s environmental impact. It has also invested in sustainability across the company, for example in the design of new state-of-the-art vessels,” said SEA-LNG.

SEA-LNG noted that in 2023 Matson will be among the first shipping companies to convert existing containerships to operate on LNG.

Retrofits

“Retrofits of dual-fuel systems can future-proof investments and reduce the risk of stranded assets,” it said.

“They offer shipowners a viable pathway to net-zero emissions by 2050, while also providing optionality, more stable costs and lower emissions along the way,” added SEA-LNG.

Other fuels are emerging to sit alongside LNG as a cleaner fuel such as BioLNG, which is already commercially available as a drop-in bunker fuel.

“The LNG pathway is an important part of our strategy for reducing the greenhouse-gas emissions of our fleet by 40 percent by 2030,” said Matt Cox, Chairman and Chief Executive of Matson.

“The transition to bioLNG and in the longer term e-LNG, as well as continuing to improve the commercial availability of conventional LNG worldwide, will be critical to achieving our goals,” added Cox.

“We believe SEA-LNG will be a valuable partner on this journey and we look forward to working with them,” stated the CEO.

Høglund Marine, the Norwegian company specializing in both retrofit and newbuild projects, has signed a contract to supply an advanced LNG Fuel Gas Supply System for three German ships owned by the German Federal Government to be deployed in hazardous roles.

The customised Fuel Gas Supply Systems (FGSS) have been developed to allow the LNG-fuelled vessels to take on hazardous roles such as pollution control, emergency towing and firefighting.

Høglund, based in Tønsberg in southeast Norway, signed the agreements with the Abeking and Rasmussen (A&R) shipyard for three multipurpose vessels ordered by the German government’s Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration.

The design and construction of the three vessels is being supervised by the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute.

To meet the advanced specifications for the LNG system that ensures safe operation in hazardous atmospheres, Høglund will be collaborating with HB Hunte Engineering, headquartered in Oldenburg in the northern German state of Lower Saxony.

“This project makes A&R the only shipyard worldwide offering LNG-fuelled vessels that are qualified to operate in hazardous atmospheres,” said Høglund.

These 90-metre-plus vessels will be equipped with engines generating up to 12,000kW and 145 tonnes of bollard pull, and will have a top speed greater than 15 knots.

The three vessels will also be exclusively LNG-powered. Although suitable for worldwide operation, they will be deployed within the German coastline where they will carry out works on sea marks, pollution control and utilising hydroacoustic equipment as well as in pollution control, emergency towing and firefighting.

Høglund explained that given the intended versatility and multiple roles of the vessels and the hazardous atmospheres they will operate in there are obvious additional safety requirements.

“Consequently, the yard alongside their federal supervisor and owner are placing extra consideration on the design of the LNG system,” said the Norwegian company.

To meet these specifications, A&R, Høglund and HB Hunte Engineering have collaborated to develop a dedicated gas safety concept.

“With Høglund taking responsibility for the overall FGSS product delivery, HB Hunte will contribute a unique LNG tank design, pipe engineering and integration of the LNG system into the wider vessel architecture,” said Høglund.

“Combining skills and expertise in this way is key to supporting the greater safety measures required for special vessels of this type,” it added.

Høglund said that equipping an LNG-fuelled vessel to conduct waterborne firefighting, pollution control and emergency response missions is a particular challenge, as safety must be guaranteed.

The design of the new vessels will meet the requirements of UK maritime classification society, Lloyds Register, and satisfy the strict rules for gas and low flashpoint fuels (IGF Code) aggravated by operation in hazardous atmosphere (gas protection operation).

“With increased uptake of LNG as an alternative fuel, it is important that systems such as the FGSS and dedicated automation are in place to support its safe and effective use,” said Peter Morsbach, a Vice President at Høglund.

“We must take into account complex safety concerns stemming from impacts on the operational profile and atmosphere,” he added.

“In this case here, the focus lies on the system’s safety concept and related design measures in terms of the tank connection spaces, gas treatment rooms, ventilation and monitoring,” stated Morsbach.

Germany has extended the deadline for grants for equipping and retrofitting seagoing vessels to use LNG as marine fuel for another year, while LNG trucks on German motorways will continue to be except from paying tolls.

Air Liquide, the French industrial gases company, said it was marketing an exclusive, patented technology that is perfectly suited to the needs of liquefied natural gas carriers and LNG bunkering vessels. 

Lloyd’s Register, the UK maritime classification society, has given more details of its joint development of a dual-fuel bulk carrier, including liquefied natural gas-powered capability, with Jiangnan Shipyard Group of China.