Classification society DNV GL and Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company (DSIC) have celebrated the shipyard gaining the first approval in principle (AIP) worldwide for designs for an LNG-fuelled very large crude carrier (VLCC), staging a presentation at the Marintec show in China.
DSIC’s innovative new design complies with DNV GL’s gas-fuelled notation in its rules for classification of ships and the recently adopted IGF Code. The shipyard has designed an LNG-fuelled VLCC to use type C fuel tanks on the open deck, minimising the impact on layout and on cargo capacity.
The LNG fuel tanks will enable the vessel to complete a round trip from the Middle East to the US without refuelling and the dual-fuel design gives greater flexibility in bunkering options and ensures the vessel meets IMO NOx Tier III requirements in gas-fuel mode. Using LNG also eliminates particulates and SOx and cuts CO2 emissions.
DSIC deputy technical director Guan Yinghua, accepted the AIP certificate at Marintec. She pledged that the China-based shipyard will continue to innovate, developing solutions for clean energy, ship efficiency and lower emissions.
DNV GL vice-president and regional manager Greater China Torgeir Sterri said: “This AIP is another step towards the more widespread adoption of LNG as a fuel for shipping. The emissions and efficiency benefits of LNG mean it is almost sure to become an important part of the fuel mix over the next few years.
“We have seen its adoption in many sectors already and now with this AIP, the world’s first for a VLCC, this major shipping sector could see its first LNG-fuelled vessel soon.”
© 2023 Riviera Maritime Media Ltd.