EMEA News
Becker Marine Systems Launches LNG Hybrid Barge Cold Ironing System
Becker Marine Systems (Becker) has announced that its new LNG Hybrid Barge cold ironing system was successfully launched in Komárno, Slovakia.
First announced last year, Becker's system will allow cruise ships to switch off their on-board, oil-powered generators during layovers, and instead "plug in" to the liquid natural gas (LNG) powered floating power plants, a process it says will reduce overall emissions.
"This is an important day for the shipping industry because the LNG Hybrid Barge is a big step forward for supplying cruise ships with environmentally-friendly energy," said Managing Director Dirk Lehman.
According to Becker, Hamburg will be the first port in Europe to provide such an external system to reduce at-berth vessel emissions.
The Barge is planned to set off toward Hamburg on September 12, 2014, journeying up the Danube, Main, and Rhine rivers.
After technical testing, commissioning, and a naming ceremony set for mid-October, the Barge will begin delivering energy to cruise ships as part of Carnival's AIDA Cruises.
This past April, Carnival announced its plans to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, noting its work with Becker and the LNG Hybrid Barge as part of the solution.
