Crowley tanker first to get ABS LNG-Ready approval

The LNG-Ready Level 1 approval was issued, along with an approval in principle, for the recently delivered Ohio, the first vessel in a series built by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard and operated by Crowley Maritime Corporation.

By achieving compliance with the ABS Guide for LNG Fuel Ready Vessels, Crowley has the option to convert the product tankers in the series to LNG fueled propulsion at a later date having already been granted a conceptual review.

“ABS has played a fundamental role in supporting the ambitions of the maritime industry as it moves to embrace the opportunity of LNG as fuel,” says ABS Chairman, President and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki. “This milestone builds upon our work to provide owners with the guidance and support they need to move ahead with shipbuilding projects that allow them the flexibility to respond to changes over the lifetime of their vessels.”

ABS published the Guide for LNG Fuel Ready Vessels in 2014. The LNG-Ready endorsements allow shipowners and yards the flexibility to limit their initial investment while planning for the future conversion to dual fuel or gas-powered combustion engines. A well-thought-out plan can prepare shipowners to face ever-increasing stricter environmental regulations as well as help save time and money by considering basic gas-fueled ship requirements during the preliminary design and minimizing the potential changes during the future conversion.

“Crowley is proud to be the first company to actually receive this designation from ABS,” says Rob Grune, SVP and general manager petroleum services for Crowley. “As our business continues to shape itself to better meet the requirements of our customers, these vessels that stand ready and able to operate on a cleaner, alternative fuel source are our way of anticipating future demands.”

“Working with ABS and Crowley to build the first LNG-Ready product tanker has been a valuable process and has allowed the shipyard to deliver a vessel with the flexibility to evolve in the future” says Scott Clapham, SVP of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard.

Project aims to develop LNG fueled bulkers of the future

Called “Project Forward,” it aims to to develop a commercially feasible LNG-fueled dry bulk carrier design capable of complying with IMO’s Energy Efficiency Design Index 2025 standards, NOx Tier III and Marpol Annex VI SOx emission levels.

The project, which is led by Athens-based bulk carrier owner Arista Shipping, began officially in May this year.

“Project Forward aims to become a milestone for the shipping industry and in particular for owners and operators of cargo ships,” says Arista Shipping Principal Alexander P. Panagopulos. “Owners must decide within the next 5-10 years whether gas as fuel is a practical means of compliance with lower emissions standards and this project will enable all of us to understand its feasibility.”

The concept design will be based on the highly-optimized Deltamarin B.Delta design suitable for ships between 82,000 and 210,000 dwt. It will employ GTT’s membrane-type LNG tanks for fuel containment.

“Compliance with stricter environmental regulations has led owners to consider the potential of using LNG as fuel for cargo vessel newbuildings,” states Deltamarin Managing Director Mika Laurilehto. “There is a clear need to turn this potential into a proven solution for the dry bulk carriers that make up such a large proportion of the world fleet.”

The project will also address the existing dry bulk fleet by developing a modularized LNG fuel retrofit solution for bulk carriers of various sizes.

ABS will conduct concept and detail design approvals according to its rules for bulk carriers and gas-powered ships.

“ABS has gained valuable insights from real-world experience classing the world’s first deepsea ships powered by LNG,” says ABS Vice President of Global Gas Solutions Patrick Janssens. “Our work with owners, designers and shipyards on LNG as fuel and LNG-ready projects brings unique value to Project Forward in enabling the safe adoption of this new fuel type.”

Project Forward will include a number of stages, with a first time horizon of two years’ applied research and development work.

Initial research indicates that the expected emission reductions from Project Forward could be 40% for CO2, 80% for NOx and 98% for SOx.

“It is time for the shipping industry to move forward and embrace the potential of gas-fueled merchant ships,” says GTT Vice President LNG as Fuel division Jacques Danton. “At this time, we can recognize market leaders launching LNG projects now in order to be the first on the learning curve. During the ramp up phase of LNG as fuel, autonomy will be a key feature for integrated solutions as provided by membrane technology.”

ABS offers guide for “SOx Scrubber Ready” ships

 

Instead, when ordering a newbuilding they may prefer to order a ship that is “SOx scrubber ready.”

Classification society ABS says that, Iin order to facilitate future modifications, ship buyers and shipbuilders must make a significant effort to figure out what features should be incorporated on a vessel and incorporate these in the shipbuilding contract.

To support shipowners taking this path, ABS has published the ABS Guide for SOx Scrubber Ready Vessels to support members and clients in preparing newbuilds for future outfitting with a SOx exhaust gas cleaning system (EGCS).

The guide supports the ABS classification notation for SOx Scrubber Ready Vessels by formalizing the process for clients who wish to plan for retrofit of a SOx scrubber at a future date by providing a detailed review and approval and an associated notation.

The SOx Scrubber Ready notation is in addition to ABS EGCS notations that may be assigned for vessels fitted with an exhaust emission abatement system, including SOx scrubbers, selective catalytic reduction systems and exhaust gas recirculation arrangements for NOx emission control, in accordance with the ABS Guide for Exhaust Emission Abatement.

More HERE and HERE

 

ABS gets $8 million Military Sealift Command award

Work will be performed worldwide and is expected to be completed by September 30, 2016.  Working capital contract funds in the amount of $8,000,000 are subject to availability in fiscal 2016 funds, and will expire at the end of fiscal 2016.

This contract was not competitively procured, in accordance with statue 46 U.S. Code 3316.

The Navy’s Military Sealift Command, Washington, DC, is the contracting activity (N00033-13-D-8015).

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