Container Feeder Ship to Receive Conversion for LNG-Propulsion

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Tuesday February 14, 2017

Wessels Reederei GmbH & Co. KG (Wessels) has announced that its ship MV Wes Amelie is slated to receive conversion to feature liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion in May 2017.

As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, Bureau Veritas S.A. (BV) is set to class the vessel - said to be the world's first container ship to be converted to LNG propulsion.

The project will see Wes Amelie receive complete gas system including gas-handling room and gas valve unit, along with a 490m3 LNG tank, while the vessel's existing MAN B&W 8L48/60B engine will be converted into a 8L51/60 DF engine.

Bremerhaven-based German Dry Docks (GDD) is reported to be set to complete the conversion.

The German Transport Ministry is said to be supporting the project, and has been reported to be providing more than €1 million ($1.06 million) for the initiative in order to support emission reductions and "the development of an efficient LNG infrastructure in Germany."

Christian P. Hoepfner, Wessels' general manager and head of business development and special projects, told the Motorship, if the conversion project is successful, the company also intends to re-equip three sister ships Wes Janine, Wes Gesa, and Wes Carina.

In September, Ship & Bunker reported that BV's consulting arm, Tecnitas, was slated to carry out risk analyses on the new LNG fuel system and operations, including LNG bunkering.

Ship & Bunker News Team
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