LR: Demand for Ethane-Powered Engines Seen

Protheroe said the "window of opportunity" for ethane tonnage is open

The use of ethane cargoes to power vessels transporting the fuel could be a benefit of increased shipping of the product, but safety issues must be worked out, Lloyd's Register (LR) finds in a new study.

LR is already working with MAN Diesel & Turbo (MAN Diesel) on new ships that are expected to be the first oceangoing vessels powered by ethane, with delivery scheduled for 2016.

The study finds that U.S. ethane production capability, a by-product of overall gas production in the country, is under-utilised, with a potential for annual exports of 1 million tonnes of the fuel.

"The window of opportunity to tie up ethane exports and secure tonnage to serve this trade is now open to feed potential markets in Europe and Asia," said Tim Protheroe, president of Lloyd's Register North America Inc.

"Lloyd's Register has identified the technical risks and best technical pathways to help ensure that near term demand for large VLECs can be met by shipyards and gas containment system suppliers."

Making such carriers viable will require effective containment technology, LR says, but the Type C systems generally used for ethane, ethylene, and similar cargoes are feasible only up to tank sizes of around 40,000 cubic meters.

The study suggests that prismatic Type B tanks or membrane systems might be better suited for ethane carriers of 80,000 cubic meters or more.

LR has already issued an approval in principle for the ethane-powered Man Diesel engine, and the engines are set to be supplied by Q4 2015.

Because storage of ethane requires high pressure, LR says new fuel valves, control blocks, and other systems will be needed, along with the agreement of regulators to accept the use of the fuel.