Page 12: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2003)

News

World's Biggest LNG Carrier Due in 2005

A 153,500 cu. m. LNG carrier ordered by Gaz de France from Chantiers de 1'Atlantique - reported to be the largest ever LNG carrier - will be classed by

Bureau Veritas and is due for delivery in 2005. The order includes an option for a second vessel. The vessels feature a long list of innovations, but two of them are particularly noteworthy.

The traditional steam turbine plant will be replaced by a low-pressure dual fuel diesel electric system. BV cooperat- ed with Wiirtsilii for the development of the safety concept of the low-pressure dual fuel diesel/gas engine, and has issued new rules for such engines.

The dual fuel diesel electric propul- sion system is more compact as com- pared to a typical steam turbine plant installation, with the obvious benefit of providing for more cargo space. In addition, operators have more flexibility with respect to crewing, as engineers familiar with turbine installations are now in short supply. Machinery redun- dancy is enhanced, cutting the risk ot a power failure. Another major feature is \

UMQ

Artist's impression of membrane-type LNG carrier with DF-electric propulsion. that the cargo gas will be carried in the new GTT CS1 membrane system. BV co-operated with GTT on the complex calculations and modeling needed to develop the cost-effective CS1 contain- ment system. CS1 was granted BV con- cept approval in 2002.

The CS1 containment system com- bines the best features of the proven

Mark 111 and N096 membrane systems.

According to BV, this solution offers increased strensth, faster fabrication. and a cost reduction of 15 percent com- pared to existing systems. Partial load- ing conditions are also possible, improv- ing operational flexibility.

For more information

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