GTT, consultancy Alwena Shipping and COSCO (CHI) Zhoushan shipyard, have received an Approval in Principle (AiP) from classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) for a new concept, combining LNG retrofit and jumboisation, applied to large container ships.
GTT carried out the LNG Mark III membrane tank design while its integration into the ship was designed and validated by Alwena Shipping. CHI Zhoushan shipyard validated the operational aspects of the project, including the work sequence, planning and workforce resources.
The increase in the length of the ship (jumboisation), combined with the conversion of the propulsion and electrical generation systems to LNG, enable a reduction in the operating costs of the ship, which limits the financial impact of the immobilisation period required for the retrofit operation.
LNG propulsion offers ship-owners a solution to comply with the future IMO environmental regulations. In comparison with a conventional fuel-powered container ship, the converted vessel reduces CO2 emissions by around 23% over an 83-day Europe-Asia return trip (port calls included).
The work carried out within the Joint Development Program (JDP) between GTT, Alwena Shipping and CHI Zhoushan supports the technical, operational and commercial design of the conversion and jumboisation operation, while also proposing a competitive industrial plan. The result of this joint work shows a way to contribute to decarbonise part of the container ship fleet currently in operation.
BV confirmed the conception of the retrofit, as well as the layout of the LNG Fuel Containment System and Gas Fuel Supply System supported by an auxiliary safety system in accordance with IGF Code and BV Rule NR 529. After reviewing the modifications to the vessel and the description of the associated operations, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore has given its AiP on the concept.
Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO GTT, said: “This retrofit and jumboisation project applied to very large container vessels is part of the GTT strategy to contribute to the maritime industry decarbonisation by leveraging its technical know-how. After the successful LNG exoskeleton retrofit of the Brussel Express, GTT proposes here a model enabling to finance the conversion operation by a vessel cargo capacity increase.”
Ludovic Gérard, President Alwena Shipping, said: “This project is remarkable in many ways: while switching to a transition fuel offering reductions in CO2, particulate and NOx emissions, this concept approved by Bureau Veritas also extends the life of the vessels converted and increases container capacity thus contributing to reducing the tension on the container transport markets.”
Gong Weibing, Vice GM CHI Zhoushan, said: “We are pleased that CHI Zhoushan is able to offer solutions to upgrade vessels and reduce their environmental impact. This project is a competitive achievement as well as an important step forward on the journey towards carbon neutrality. The retrofit and jumboisation will enable a safer, greener, more efficient, and more sustainable shipping business.”
Laurent Leblanc, SVP Technical & Operations, BV Marine & Offshore, concluded: “Retrofit is part of the options to be considered by ship-owners and operators. It can be a cost-effective option. I am proud BV could support this project, which is fully aligned with our ambition to enable the industry to tackle the energy transition in a safe and efficient manner.”
