LR, HHI, and GE Designing LNG-Electric Powered Container Ship

LR, HHI, and GE are working together to design a 14,000 TEU container ship powered by LNG fuelled gas turbines and electric motors.

Lloyd's Register (LR) Tuesday announced it has signed a joint development project agreement to work with General Electric (GE) and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) on the design of a 14,000 TEU container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled gas turbines and electric motors.

The project is said to continue GE's collaboration with LR on the COGES (COmbined Gas turbine, Electric and Steam) propulsion and power system technology, with the intention of designing a clean powered ship with both maximum efficiency and speed flexibility.

Byeong-Rok Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Initial Design Office for HHI, commenting on the project, said the design will "provide a brand new vision for future container ships with enhanced operational efficiency and flexibility from the increased container intake and environmentally friendly dual fuel system provided by the COGES system."

LR notes that the benefits of gas turbines yet to be applied within mainstream cargo shipping, with this project intended to develop a design to maximise the potential operational benefits of gas turbine systems in a safe manner.

"Operational benefits of gas turbines to naval architects, owners and operators include high power in a compact package and design flexibility. The gas turbine is so lightweight – fully 80 percent lighter and 30 percent smaller than comparable slow-speed diesel applications – that it can be located anywhere on the ship," said Brien Bolsinger, VP Marine operations at GE.

"The GE gas turbines can be equipped with a GE Dry Low Emissions (DLE) or single annular combustion system – both capable of meeting Tier III IMO/Tier IV United States Environmental Protection Agency requirements now with no exhaust treatment and no methane slip. The turbines can run on diesel as well as gas, if required – providing further flexibility."

In July 2014, LR announced it would be working with GE Marine to market gas turbine-power systems for commercial ships, and the two parties signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to identify possible projects using the systems, which offer high power in a lightweight, small package, as well as fuel flexibility.