ABS ISSUES LNG SHIP PROPULSION STANDARD GUIDE

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AMERICAN Bureau of Shipping has issued a new guide on LNG carrier propulsion systems which includes alternative systems to the traditional gas-fired steam plant. ABS says its new Guide for Propulsion Systems for LNG Carriers is the first such comprehensive set of standards to have been issued by a classification society.

Currently several type of propulsion configurations are being ordered with others yet being planned. At the heart of the differing propulsion systems debate is economics together with safety concerns over the manner in which boil off gas (BOG) is treated.

“There are over 40 ships that have been contracted with propulsion systems other than steam says Mumtaz Mahmood, Director, Technology & Business Development, ABS Europe and primary author of the new guide. “This is a clear indication that gas fired boilers with steam turbines is no longer the most favoured choice for the main propulsion plant on standard or large LNG ships.”

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Mahmood notes that dual fuel diesel electric and direct drive, slow speed diesel plants, coupled with an on-board re-liquefaction plant to handle the cargo boil off, appear to offer operational efficiencies for these new designs. “However, there is no single obvious propulsion system of choice,” he added. “The choice depends on numerous factors such as gas price or trade route among others.”

The new ABS Guide aims to provide comprehensive criteria for the various propulsion systems currently on offer from shipyards: dual fuel gas turbine/steam turbine combined cycle with electrical propulsion, dual fuel diesel electrical propulsion and slow speed diesel direct drive as well as conventional steam turbines.