James Fisher’s first LNG dual fuel tanker delivered

The first of the James Fisher Tankships 6,000-dwt LNG dual fuel tankers, Sir John Fisher, entered service in December 2023, joining James Fisher Everard’s fleet in northwest Europe. The tanker incorporates innovations in design and construction technology to enhance hydrodynamic performance, improve operational efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Sir John Fisher is equipped with highly efficient dual fuel engines, the tanker, and her sister vessel Lady Maria Fisher (scheduled to in early 2023), are able to run on liquified natural gas (LNG) as a cleaner alternative to conventional marine gasoil.

The two vessels have a centralised waste heat recovery system, which also helps minimise GHG emissions. Each vessel is capable of achieving a 45% reduction in carbon emissions, in addition to a 93% reduction in NOx and 45% reduction in SOx. The vessels will reduce the fleet’s overall GHG emissions and will also help customers looking to contribute to sustainability improvements. 

“The tanker incorporates innovations in design and construction technology”

Built and launched at China Merchants Jinling (CMJL) shipyard in Yangzhou, China, the dual fuel tanker underwent sea trials prior to delivery, during which the project manager, ship manager, and the vessel’s chief engineer and master all provided onsite support. Additional supervision was provided by the team at marine consultancy specialist, Alpha Marine Consulting, which helped see Sir John Fisher through these crucial stages in preparation for its delivery.

James Fisher Tankships managing director Krystyna Tsochlas, said: “Everyone at James Fisher is looking forward to introducing customers to Sir John Fisher when she arrives in Northwest Europe. With a dual fuel engine and the ability to alternate between fuel types, both she and her sister vessel, the Lady Maria Fisher, demonstrate our commitment to a new, more sustainable future for our shipping operations.”

James Fisher Shipping Services project engineer and technical lead for the project Iain Salter, said: “I am extremely impressed with how the yard, together with the support of our Alpha Marine Site team, has managed to overcome the significant challenges and disruptions that Covid has posed throughout the build programme. Together they have demonstrated a number of the same core values as James Fisher, notably energy and resilience, in achieving delivery within the required timescale.”

Specification:

LOA: 93.0 m

Extreme breadth: 17.0 m

Moulded depth: 8.7 m

Keel-to-masthead: 32.02 m

Net tonnage: 1898

Gross tonnage: 3696

Cargo tank coating: MarineLINE

Class: Bureau Veritas

P&I Club: Shipowners Mutual