LNG

Gaztransport and Technigaz (GTT), the French LNG storage technology company, and South Korea’s Samsung Heavy Industries have received an approval from UK maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register for a new design of GTT’s three-tank concept.

The new design is for a new LNG carrier featuring GTT’s three-tank Mark III Flex membrane containment system, which will also allow for the reduction in the length of vessels.

This approval in principle is the result of a Joint Development Project initiated in 2022 and aimed at designing a new generation of LNG vessels.

Analysts note that about 30 years ago, GTT upgraded LNG carriers from five storage tanks to four tanks and the company now hopes to bring the market forward with a three-tank LNG carrier.

GTT explained that the three-tank LNG carrier concept permits an increase in LNG cargo capacity and improves maintenance efficiencies through the suppression of one cofferdam, one pump tower and all associated cryogenic equipment.

The Paris-based company added that the design also improved the ratio between the volume of LNG transported and the surface area of the cryogenic liner.

GTT explained that this would make it possible to achieve a boil-off rate as low as 0.080 percent of tank volume per day with the Mark III Flex technology compared with 0.085 percent of the volume per day with the LNG ships currently in operation (of 174,000 cubic metres capacity).

Loading

“In addition, this three-tank LNGC design provides an almost equivalent loading time as a standard four-tank LNGC configuration, thanks to an adapted pump tower,” said the company.

“In addition to these benefits, the removal of a cofferdam, pump tower and its associated equipment reduces the weight of the ship,” it added.

Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and Chief Executive of GTT, said he was proud to be granted this approval from Lloyd’s Register alongside its long-standing ship-building partner SHI.

“We are convinced that this development will benefit all players in the maritime sector by improving the performance of LNG carriers,” stated Berterottière.

Youngkyu Ahn, Vice President of the Shipbuilding Engineering Division of SHI, said the design was expected to increase cargo capacity, minimize operating costs, optimize maintenance efficiency and reduce greenhouse-gas emissions.

“This achievement is a remarkable step in the pursuit of even more innovative vessel designs, and it is with conviction that we pledge to continue to explore and develop innovative designs in the future,” he stated.

Lloyd’s Register said it was focused on innovating to improve efficiency and safety and had reached “another important stage” in its collaboration with SHI and GTT.

“We are pleased to award this AiP, which marks an important step forward for LNG owners, who will now have the opportunity to reduce the length of their vessels and maximise cargo-carrying potential with this optimised design,” declared Young-Doo Kim, a senior executive of Lloyd’s Register in North-East Asia.

Sea-LNG, a global coalition led by energy and shipping companies backing the increased use of liquefied natural gas as a maritime fuel, said the LNG and energy Port of Corpus Christi, the largest in the United States by total revenue tonnage, has become the latest member.

The Port of Corpus Christi in Texas is the fourth North American port to join the coalition but is the first port located on the strategic, energy-rich Gulf of Mexico.

Since launching in July 2016, Sea-LNG’s membership has grown from 13 to more than 40 members from leading global companies,
“The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the United States’ leading energy ports, and has been quick to appreciate the importance of LNG into its bunker offering,” said Peter Keller, Chairman of Sea-LNG.

“ We’re delighted to welcome this forward thinking and innovative port into our membership at a time when the maritime sector continues to aggressively work to decarbonise its operations as well as reduce local emissions harmful to human health,” added Kellner.

The Port of Corpus Christi’s decision to join Sea-LNG was a part of its commitment to environmental stewardship.

The Port purchases 100 percent of its power from renewable sources, is upgrading its vehicle fleet to electric and hybrid technology, and is creating a technological advancement programme for emissions control and decarbonisation.

“As the leading energy port in the Americas, the Port of Corpus Christi considers LNG indispensable in our energy export portfolio, with the expansion of local operations helping to propel the United States as a top global LNG exporter,” said Port of Corpus Christi Chief Executive Sean Strawbridge.

“By joining Sea-LNG, we’re sending a clear message that LNG as a marine fuel aligns with our ambition to strengthen our competitiveness in LNG as a leading fuel for the transport sector,” added

Sea-LNG has members across the entire LNG value chain including providers of the product, users, engine and asset suppliers, and class societies.

The group is already recognised as an international leader in LNG matters. Each member organisation commits mutually agreed human resources, data analysis and knowledge sharing.

Sea-LNG said it regarded itself as a driver in a multi-sector industry aiming for a global adoption of LNG to create cleaner shipping by 2025.

Sea-LNG’s other members include: ABS, Carnival Corp., Chart Industries, Clean Marine Energy, DNV GL, Eagle LNG Partners, Fearnleys, FortisBC, Gasum AS, GE Marine, GTT, JAX LNG, “K” LINE Group, Lloyd’s Register, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and NYK Line.

The membership list additionally includes The Port of Long Beach, Port of Rotterdam, Port of Virginia, Qatargas, Shell, Société Générale, Sohar Port & Freezone, Stabilis Energy, Sumitomo Corp., Total, TOTE Inc., Toyota Tsusho, Uyeno Group of Companies, Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, Wärtsilä, and Yokohama-Kawasaki International Port Corp.

Lloyd’s Register, the UK maritime classification society, has approved a design by a South Korean shipyard for a mid-scale LNG carriers of 30,000 cubic metres capacity with prismatic IMO Type-B storage tank design.

The Cyprus Natural Gas Infrastructure Co. (ETYFA) said eight bids had been received for the engineering supervision contract for the Chinese-led liquefied natural gas import project being pursued on the Mediterranean Island for power needs.

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.

Lloyd’s Register, the UK maritime classification society, has agreed to jointly develop a dual-fuel bulk carrier, including liquefied natural gas-powered capability, with Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. of China.

UK maritime classification society Lloyd’s Register has been awarded a crucial role in oil and gas development strategies in Cyprus, where liquefied natural gas production is being considered onshore and offshore as well as pipeline exports.

Lloyd’s Register, the UK-based classification society, and Hyundai Heavy Industries have signed a joint development project on ship-to-ship bunkering compatibility for liquefied natural gas re-fuelling.