First methanol fueled tanker joins DNV GL fleet

APRIL 21, 2016 — Classification society DNV GL has welcomed the world’s first methanol fueled oceangoing vessel to its fleet.

Named Lindanger in ceremonies at shipbuilder Hyundai Mipo’s Ulsan, South Korea, shipyard  the vessel is owned by Norwegian firm Westfal-Larsen and is is the first of two dual-fueled 50,000 dwt tankers that will be chartered to global marine transportation company Waterfront Shipping.

“We are very pleased to see the completion and launch of this exciting and innovative newbuilding,” says DNV GL – Maritime CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen. “This is the first time a dual-fuel engine with a Low Flashpoint Liquid (LFL) fuel system has been installed on an ocean-going vessel and it is a testament to the excellent cooperation between all the project partners that we have been able to complete this unique project and gain flag state approval. Methanol as a marine fuel is a very promising option to enable owners to reduce the environmental impact of their vessels and to comply with low sulfur and ECA regulations and we look forward to working on many more projects using this innovative marine fuel and technology.”     

With a MAN designed Hyundai–B&W 6G50ME-9.3 ME-LGI dual-fuel, two-stroke engine, the Lindanger can run on methanol, fuel oil, marine diesel oil or gasoil.

The ship has been assigned the additional notation LFL FUELED to demonstrate her compliance with the DNV GL rules for low flash point marine fuels. DNV GL was the first classification society to publish rules covering LFL fuels in July 2013, to ensure that the arrangement and installation of these systems have an equivalent level of integrity in terms of safety and availability as a conventional system.

The Lindanger is the first in a series of seven methanol-fueled  vessels which will be chartered by Waterfront Shipping over the course of 2016 (see earlier story).  Four of the seven vessels are being constructed to DNV GL class, including two vessels owned by Westfal-Larsen, the Lindanger and a sister ship, and two owned by a joint venture between Marinvest/Skagerack Invest and Waterfront Shipping. A further three ships, where DNV GL carried out a hazard identification study, will be owned by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL).

Waterfront is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Methanex Corp, the world’s largest producer and supplier of methanol, and operates a fleet of 22 deep sea tankers of between 3,000 dwt and 50,000 dwt, which are used for transporting methanol worldwide.

Lindanger main particulars:
50,000 dwt tanker for chemicals & oil products with LFL fueled engine

LOA                   186 m
LBP                    177 m
Breadth                32.2 m
Depth                   19.1 m
Draught               12.85 m
Deadweight         49,999 dwt
Speed                  15.8 knots
Main engine       Type: Hyundai–B&W 6G50ME-9.3 LGI (Tier II)
                         Output　: 10,320 kW @100 RPM