GE Signs Multilateral MoU for Development of World's First LPG-Powered COGES Ship

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Wednesday November 16, 2016

GE Aviation's marine gas turbine business Wednesday announced that it has signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the joint development of a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)-fuelled ferry design - said to be the world's first Combined Gas Turbine, Electric and Steam (COGES) ship to be powered by LPG.

"There is increased attention worldwide on LPG as a viable fuel for the maritime industry, and we are excited to collaborate on this ferry project," said Brien Bolsinger, Vice President of GE Aviation’s Marine Operations.

"The compact COGES arrangement—lighter and smaller than comparable four-stroke diesel engines— will allow for more passengers. Owners, operators, designers and shipyards will see that the COGES system also offers lower life cycle costs."

The agreement is noted to have been signed by Youngsung Global, DINTEC, Korea LPG Industry Association, GE Aviation, Far East Ship Design & Engineering Co (FESDEC), and Cryos.

Under the agreement, GE Aviation will supply the COGES system used to provide all of the ship's power, including propulsion, while FESDEC will handle ferry design, and Cryos will be responsible for the LPG fuel tanks' design and manufacturing.

The vessel is expected to improve both safety and efficiency, and at the same time, reduce NOx and CO2 emissions, as well as overall vessel operational expenses by 35 percent.

"The new eco-friendly LPG-fueled ferry will operate the Incheon-Jeju and other international passenger routes," said Bumsu Ku, Youngsung Global's CEO.

"Also, with the use of LPG, we expect to save on operational costs and contribute to reducing our global environmental footprint."

In March, Ship & Bunker reported that GE had signed and agreement with Lloyd's Register (LR) and Hyundai Heavy Industries Co., Ltd. (HHI) to develop the design of a 14,000 TEU container ship powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled gas turbines and electric motors.