Americas News
Horizon Lines in LNG Repowering Initiative
U.S. domestic shipping company Horizon Lines says it will convert two of its steam turbine vessels to dual-fuel systems capable of running on liquefied natural gas (LNG) in an effort to reduce both fuel use and emissions.
"We are viewing this as the first step in a repowering initiative for Horizon Lines vessels serving in the Hawaii and Puerto Rico trade lanes," said President and CEO Sam Woodward.
"The two initial steam vessels targeted for the planned repowering are structurally viable for the conversion from steam-powered to dual diesel/LNG engines."
The company is seeking bids on the work, which includes an integrated repowering solution for main engines, supporting components, and LNG storage tanks, from six U.S. shipyards and six foreign shipyards.
The company expects to receive the bids in mid-July, start work in January 2015, and complete the first two ships by early 2016.
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) National Vessel Documentation Center has ruled that the work may be done in a foreign shipyard without jeapordising the ships' Jones Act status, and Horizon Lines said it is working closely with the USCG and the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) as the project moves forward.
The creation of LNG bunkering infrastructure in the U.S. is in its infancy, with the nation's first facility for the fuel scheduled to start operations next year in Louisiana.
