Rolls-Royce propulsion for LNG fueled fish food carrier

MARCH 8, 2016 — Rolls-Royce has signed a $6.5 million contract with Tersan Shipyard in Turkey to supply a Liquefied Natural Gas propulsion package for the 81.5 m x 16.5 m LNG fueled fish farm food delivery vessel recently ordered by Norwegian shipowner NSK Shipping (see earlier story). The vessel will deliver fish food on behalf of BioMar Group.

Able to carry 2,700 tonnes of fish food to fish farms along the Norwegian coast, the vessel will be a slightly larger sister ship to NSK Shipping’s MS Høydal which was the world’s first LNG powered cargo vessel and which was delivered from Tersan Shipyard in 2012. Both ships are designed by NSK Ship Design.

The new cargo carrier is expected to be delivered by the shipbuilder in 2017.

The LNG propulsion system comprises one eight cylinder Bergen C26:33 natural gas engine rated at 2,160 kW, Promas combined rudder and propeller system, one tunnel thruster in the bow and one in the aft, and a Rolls-Royce automation and DP system.

The vessel is also equipped with the Rolls-Royce hybrid shaft generator (HSG) propulsion system. This means the main engine also generates electricity for the ship. The Hybrid Shaft Generator will generate electrical power for the ship even if the engine power output varies, saving fuel. The HSG can also act as a propulsion motor (PTI) providing an alternative power source should LNG becomes unavailable – a prerequisite for class approval.

Bergen Gas Engines from Rolls-Royce are the only pure gas engines on the market using a spark plug ignition. Alternative “dual fuel” engines use a small amount of diesel for ignition. The B and C Series engines emit around 22% (including methane slip) less CO2 per unit of power than a diesel engine and NOx emissions are reduced by 90%. SOx emissions are negligible. The engines deliver a significant reduction in fuel and lubrication oil consumption.

In addition, says Rolls-Royce, the clean, safe engine rooms and advanced technology can reduce maintenance costs as well as providing a more pleasant working environment for the crew.

NSK Shipping Managing Director Kristian Høydal said: “We are proud to be trusted once again by BioMar to deliver their finished product to the fish farming industry and to be able to work with Rolls-Royce on the delivery of a more environmentally friendly and effective LNG powered vessel.”

NSK Ship Design Managing Director Kjartan Karlsen said: “We are thrilled that our designs have contributed to the use of LNG in powering cargo vessels, therefore reducing carbon footprints. We commend NSK Shipping and Rolls-Royce for being at the helm of a more sustainable industry.”

Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce, President Offshore and Merchant Solutions, said: “BioMar and NSK Shipping invest in modern technology that helps reduce fuel costs and environmental footprint. They are among the absolute frontrunners in the area of short sea shipping.”