LNG-Fuelled Newcastlemax Bulk Carrier Design Unveiled

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Friday June 2, 2017

DNV GL Thursday announced that the company, along with project partners BHP, Fortescue, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), Rio Tinto, Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI), U-Ming, and Woodside Energy Ltd. (Woodside), has unveiled a liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fuelled Newcastlemax bulk carrier design which is in the process of receiving Approval in Principle (AiP) from DNV GL.

The unveiling came as part of a presentation of the results of stage one of the partners' '"Green Corridor" joint industry project (JIP) at this week's Nor-Shipping trade fair in Oslo.

The JIP is said to have shown the commercial potential and technical feasibility of LNG-fuelled bulkers in a 'green corridor' iron ore and coal trade between Australia and China.

"This JIP has shown that by bringing together partners from across the industry to investigate alternative compliance options that account for market and trade route characteristics, such as safety and ease of operation, cargo and fuel flexibility, energy efficiency and economic viability, we can arrive at unique solutions that fulfil owners and operators' requirements, as well as being in full compliance with international rules and regulations," said Morten Løvstad, DNV GL – Maritime Business Director Bulk Carriers.

"By having both charterers and ship owners as active partners in the JIP, we are also optimistic that this new design will materialize into firm orders in the near future."

The 210,000 DWT vessel was developed by China's SDARI based on their "highly energy efficient" Green Dolphin design.

The ship features dual fuel engines, which were selected by the partners as it is "a mature technology with multiple suppliers offering solutions" and provides operational redundancy.

DNV GL notes that, based on fuel consumption analyses, an LNG fuel tank size of approximately 6,000 cubic metres (cbm) was found to be optimal, with bunkering intended to be conducted in Australia for the round-trip.

In January, Ship & Bunker reported that Woodside has said trade routes from northern Western Australia are the "perfect place" to drive the transition to LNG as a marine fuel.