'Clean Sky' LNG-Powered Ship 'Could be Built Next Year'

The LNG-powered ship received Lloyd's Register approval in principle

A design for a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered bulk carrier developed by COSCO Shipyard Group in China, Greek shipping firm Golden Union, and Lloyd's Register (LR) has received an approval in principal from LR.

Known as "Clean Sky," the design allows for the use of either dual-fuel or tri-fuel engines, with the ability to burn heavy fuel oil (HFO), diesel, or LNG.

The project, which began in June 2011, aimed to develop a commercially viable design based on COSCO's existing conventionally fueled Kamsarmax vessels.

"This news moves the industry far beyond the concept stage," said Nick Brown, Lloyd's Register's Area General Manager and Marine Manager, Greater China.

"A 'Clean Sky' ship could be built next year.

"We have addressed the technology issues; the approval in principle that we issued today only comes after exhaustive risk investigations into the gas containment, bunkering systems and performance assessment."

Golden Union said new environmental requirements make LNG-powered ships more attractive.

"Using LNG may be the ideal solution for meeting increased environmental performance without losing competitiveness," the company said.

"Looking at the commercial perspective of LNG as a ship's fuel, the capital expense of installing an LNG fuel system should be paid off after few years by operating expense savings, especially if a vessel is trading within ECAs [Emissions Control Areas]."

The design calls for a 228-meter length, deadweight of 81,000 deadweight tonnes (dwt), the use of a MAN B&W 6S60ME C-8.2 – GI Tier II engine, and a speed of 14.1 knots.

LR has said market acceptance of LNG bunkers will come down to the price comparison with conventional fuel, while a May report from Germanischer Lloyd SE (GL) and MAN Diesel & Turbo SE (MAN) found that LNG is a more cost-effective way than scrubbers to meet new emissions rules.