Energy efficiency key for TMS Cardiff's LNG newbuilds

Four LNG carriers under construction for TMS Cardiff Gas in South Korea will have energy-efficient marine compressed air system and associated equipment from TMC Compressors of the Seas (TMC).

“In almost all tenders we participate in, shipowners increasingly emphasise energy and fuel efficiency as well as the lifetime cost of the equipment,” said TMC director of sales and business development Hans Petter Tanum.

Greek shipowner TMS Cardiff Gas is constructing the four LNG carriers at Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). Each vessel will have storage capacity of 174,000 m³ and be equipped with efficient X-DF propulsion from WinGD.

All four LNG carriers will start long-term charters with Shell once delivered in 2020 and 2021.

TMC spokesman Endre Johansen told LNG World Shipping, “TMC has conducted a lot of R&D work to generate higher capacity output of control and service air, but with lower energy consumption, service requirements and – as a result – lower opex and harmful emissions to air.” Mr Johansen said TMC has sought inspiration from the automotive industry, which for several decades has made engines more compact while squeezing out more horsepower and reducing fuel consumption and associated CO₂ emission levels. “For compressors between 150 and 235 kW, for example, TMC has in recent years increased capacity by up to 9.7%, while energy consumption has been reduced by up to 9.2%.” Added Mr Johansen, “Simply put, more power for less cost.”

TMC’s scope of supply is to provide two control air compressors, one service air compressor and two nitrogen feed air compressors for each of the four vessels. For the vessels being built by HHI, TMC will also supply two selective catalytic reduction compressors. TMC’s contract value is undisclosed.

This is not the first contract TMC has been awarded by TMS Cardiff Gas. In June 2018, TMC won a contract to supply a marine compressed air system to three LNG carriers HHI is building for TMS Cardiff Gas.

Riviera Maritime Media’s LNG Ship/Shore Conference, Awards & Exhibition will bring together Europe’s LNG transportation supply chain. 28-29 November 2019, London. Book your ticket now.