EMEA News
LNG Conversion Complete for Bergen Tankers' Vessel
Norway's Bergen Tankers AS (Bergen Tankers) has completed the successful conversion of the 4,447 dwt chemical/oil products tanker Bergen Viking from diesel-electric to Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) electric propulsion and is now back in service for Statoil ASA (Statoil), Rolls Royce has announced.
The 95 m vessel, which supplies diesel and gasoline along the Norwegian coastline, is said to have received a retrofit that replaced four of the ship's original six diesel generating sets with two Rolls-Royce Limited (Rolls-Royce) Bergen C6 generating sets.
The LNG fuel containment system and control system reportedly utilizes two 155 cbm fuel tanks configured for redundant propulsion, with crossover options both on bunkering and supply lines.
"We are delighted to take over a renewed and more environmental friendly vessel," said Kjell Olav Haugland, Managing Director of Bergen Tanker.
"Our fleet sails along the long and beautiful Norwegian coast, visiting several ports every day, so reducing emissions is an obligation we take very seriously.
"With the Bergen Viking returning to service we are also looking forward to significant savings in operational costs."
John Knudsen, President - Commercial Marine with Rolls-Royce, speaking on the completed LNG retrofit said, "the Bergen Viking project demonstrates that LNG is an option not just for new vessels but can be successfully retrofitted into existing ships to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits for owners."
To-date, Rolls-Royce is reported to have delivered a total of 63 LNG engines to ships, which are now in operation in a range of ship types including coastal cargo ships, tankers, cruise ferries, tugs and offshore support vessels.
Emissions from Rolls-Royce gas engines are said to already be within the limits of International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Tier III environmental legislation, due to come into force in 2016.
In April, Rolls-Royce announced plans to equip five newbuild Norwegian ferries with bunker saving propulsion technology.
