Americas News
TOTE Granted $900,000 MARAD Funding for LNG Conversion
The US Marine Administration (MARAD) has announced that it has signed a $900,000 cooperative agreement with Totem Ocean Trailer Express Inc. (TOTE) to investigate the benefits of retrofitting existing vessels with liquid natural gas (LNG) propulsion systems.
Under the agreement, TOTE will convert the MV Midnight Sun containership into an LNG-propelled vessel.
In order to "assist maritime stakeholders in assessing the potential of LNG conversions," MARAD is said to be assisting TOTE in obtaining air emissions data and operation information from the vessel prior to and after conversion is completed.
"This demonstration project on the use of LNG for containership propulsion is a part of an ongoing program to promote increased use of alternative fuels and technology in the maritime industry," stated MARAD in the announcement.
The MV Midnight Sun is said to be a Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) cargo ship that provides service between the Port of Tacoma in Washington and the Port of Anchorage in Alaska.
The project is said to be expected for completion in 2018.
In April, it was reported that Sea Star Line, LLC, a subsidiary of TOTE, had finalised plans for a LNG bunkering system that will be used to supply its new LNG containerships.
Also in April, MARAD issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a cost share study on emissions resulting from in-situ LNG conversion, known as the Natural Gas Pilot Demonstration Project.
