French Snag LNG Order

In February Gaz de France ordered a 74,000 cu. m. LNG carrier from Chantiers de l'Atlantique, with an option for a second vessel. The French have maintained a strong hold on this hightech, high-value ship type despite the general migration of gas ship orders to the Far East.

In particular. Bureau Veritas helped develop the concepts for the vessels, and developed unique new rules to allow the yard and owners to break new technological frontiers.

The ships have two key innovations.

The traditional steam turbine plant will be replaced by a low-pressure dual fuel diesel electric system, and the cargo gas will be carried in the new GTT CS1 membrane system.

BV developed the safety concept of the low-pressure dual fuel diesel/gas engine, and has issued new rules for such engines. These are unique, and set new standards for this type of machinery plant. BV's consultancy division. Tecnitas, worked with GTT on the complex calculations and modeling needed to develop the cost-effective CS1 containment system. CSI was granted BV concept approval earlier this month.

The dual fuel diesel electric propulsion system is designed to offer advantages.

For one, it is designed as a more compact installation, allowing cargo space to be maximized in the hull. In addition, it is designed to reduce gas consumption compared to the conventional turbine installations.The CSI containment system reportedly combines the best features of the proven Mark III and N096 membrane systems. It offers increased strength, faster fabrication, and a cost reduction of 15 percent compared to existing systems.

Circle 83 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com

Maritime Reporter Magazine, page 32, Mar 2002

Read French Snag LNG Order in Pdf, Flash or Html5 edition of March 2002 Maritime Reporter

Other stories from March 2002 issue

Content

Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.