The PERFECt (Piston Engine Room Free Efficient Containership) design project has welcomed ABB, Solar Turbines and OMT for its second phase.
The new companies will join existing companies GTT, CMA CGM and its subsidiary CMA Ships, and DNV GL for the second part of the project, which investigates the potential use of a combined gas and steam turbine system (COGAS) to power an ultra large container ship (ULCS).
The second part of the project, named PERFECt II, will focus on the technical concept and commercial feasibility of the ship compared with a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled ship with a conventional propulsion system, following promising results of the first phase, which began in 2015.
In phase one of the project GTT, CMA CGM (and its subsidiary CMA Ships) and DNV GL released a technical and feasibility study for a COGAS-powered LNG-fuelled electrically driven mega box ship. Based on the results of that study, the PERFECt vessel design was found to offer potentially increased cargo capacity, greater layout flexibility and reduced maintenance costs than comparable conventionally powered heavy fuel oil (HFO) and LNG designs.
The second phase will further optimise the overall system, including the COGAS system and its steam turbine, the availability of cooling gas for LNG, and the overall ship design to enhance efficiency and cargo capacity.
“The PERFECt Ship consortium is unique in that it brings all parties together towards one common goal of efficient cargo transportation,” stated Ennodio Ramos, Vice President, Power Generation and Strategic Growth of Solar Turbines Inc. (a Caterpillar Company).
Gerd Würsig, Business Director LNG fuelled Ships at DNV GL – Maritime, commented:
“This MOU brings a new set of expert capabilities to a project that has already delivered very promising results. Our object with phase two is to work towards a design concept with a sufficient level of technical depth for a purchasing decision”.
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