Norway-based marine technology provider Høglund has signed a contract with shipyard Abeking & Rasmussen (A&R) to supply customised fuel gas supply systems (FGSS) for three multipurpose vessels built for the German Government and owned by Wasserstraßen und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes (WSV - German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration)
The design and construction of the vessels will be supervised by the Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau (BAW - Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute).
All three LNG-powered vessels are in excess of 90 m, will be equipped with engines generating up to 12,000 kW, have 145 tonnes of bollard pull, and a top speed greater than 15 knots.
The ships will be deployed along Germany’s coastline where they will carry out works on sea marks, pollution control, utilising hydroacoustic equipment, emergency towing and firefighting.
To meet the specifications for the FGSS that ensures safe operation in hazardous atmospheres, Høglund will collaborate with Oldenburg-based HB Hunte Engineering to develop and supply the LNG systems while A&R, the federal supervisor and owner will ensure the safety and design of the system. A&R, Høglund and HB Hunte Engineering have collaborated to develop a dedicated gas safety concept.
Høglund will take responsibility for the overall FGSS product delivery and HB Hunte will contribute a unique LNG tank design, pipe engineering and integrate the LNG system into the wider vessel architecture.
The challenge of equipping an LNG-fuelled vessel to conduct waterborne firefighting, pollution control and emergency response missions requires rigorous safety standards.
The design of the new vessels meets Lloyd’s Register’s class requirements satisfying the strict rules for gas and low flashpoint fuels (IGF Code) aggravated by operation in hazardous atmosphere (gas protection operation).
Commenting on complex safety concerns stemming from the impact on the ships’ operational profile and working environment, Høglund vice president sales operations Peter Morsbach said “The focus lies on the system’s safety concept and related design measures in terms of the tank connection spaces, gas treatment rooms, ventilation and monitoring. When entering hazardous atmospheres, the vessel switches into a ’citadel mode’ when external air exchange and ventilation is temporarily recessed, potentially for several hours. This important feature excludes the common way proposed by the IGF Code to treat rooms containing gas equipment.”
HB Hunte director for sales and business development Wolfgang Franzeliusnt said “With the growing use of LNG shipping, current and future operators must have confidence in the technology.” Adding, “As shipping continues to embrace the role of LNG on the path to a zero-carbon future, we see more collaboration occurring as we come together to find reliable and safe technology solutions for the future of LNG and shipping.”
Abeking & Rasmussen project manager Csaba Piller said the German Government’s decision to use LNG-powered vessels in a unique and challenging role represented a significant milestone for the growth of the LNG-fuelled fleet.
“We are glad that we are collaborating with Høglund and HB Hunte to meet the exacting specifications laid down by the client to ensure these newbuild vessels deliver their role safely and sustainably,” he said.
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