Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) delivered the first dual fuel LNG-powered suezmax and second methanol-fuelled ship.
South China’s biggest shipbuilder delivered Eastern Pacific Shipping’s 274 m, 157,300 dwt Greenway, the world’s first LNG dual fuel suezmax tanker.
GSI claimed that using LNG as a fuel, Greenway’s MAN B&W 6G70ME-C10.5-GI HPSCR(Tier III) engine emits 23% less carbon dioxide, Nox emissions are 90% lower and Sox and particulate emissions are cut by 99%.
GSI also celebrated the delivery to Proman Stena Bulk of Stena Pro Marine, the second in a series of three methanol-fuelled tankers for the owner. The 49,990 dwt tanker joins recently delivered Stena Pro Patria; another vessel is due for delivery this year and an order has been placed for three more ships of the same design.
GSI vice president William Zhou said: “This is one of the best periods in GSI’s history. I would like to pay tribute to all our team and suppliers here at GSI who have worked so hard with our clients Eastern Pacific and Stena Proman to deliver these magnificent ground-breaking vessels.”
“These are some of the most innovative propulsion systems in the world and we are proud to be changing the shipping industry for the better, working with our customers, to help make shipping greener.
According to Zhou, GSI has 32 dual-fuelled vessels delivered or on order including two LNG propulsion ropax vessels, two LNG propulsion Suez tankers, 14 LNG propulsion LR2 tankers, eight LNG propulsion PCTCs and six methanol propulsion MR tankers.
Zhou said the Stena Proman ships can go a long way to showcasing how methanol can be deployed safely and at low cost.
“The systems are less complicated than those of LNG and LPG-fuelled vessels. As soon as classification societies drafted rules on using methanol as fuel, GSI began to get involved and it is wonderful to see the first two ships built and delivered. We expect to see many more shipyards embracing methanol ships now, but we are very proud to be one of the first.”
Zhou added that GSI has ambitions beyond its current designs.
“Our team is looking at not just methanol but also ammonia, bio-methane and hydrogen. We believe these will all have their place in the future and GSI is at the cutting edge of developing these technologies, having secured approvals in principle from class societies,” said Zhou.
Source: Seatrade Maritime News
