Asia/Pacific News
First Asian Order for LNG-Only Tugs
Rolls-Royce says Chinese state oil company CNOOC has ordered two tugs using the power systems company's Bergen C26:33L9PG engines, which are powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) alone, representing the first such vessels to be built for use in Asia.
The vessels, which will also feature Rolls-Royce US 205 CP azimuth thrusters, will be built at the Zhenjiang shipyard in Jiangsu, China, with the first tug planned for delivery by the end of 2014.
The order also includes an option for two more tugs.
"I am convinced that with the growing popularity of LNG as a marine fuel, more operators will soon begin to opt for a cleaner, lower cost and smoke-free fuel solution to power their tugs," said Neil Gilliver, president of Rolls-Royce Merchant.
"This order will be one of many more to come."
The world's first LNG-only tug, the M/T Borgøy, which also uses a Rolls-Royce engine, entered service in Norway in January.
While most LNG-powered vessels in the global fleet have dual-fuel engines with the capacity to use a different fuel, Rolls-Royce says its single-fuel LNG engines are simpler and more efficient.
