If an initiative that is aiming to retrofit the high speed ro-pax vessel, the Bencomo Express, to be powered by both diesel and LNG is successful it will both claim a world first and generate initial demand for LNG at Spanish ports.
The GAINN4SHIP INNOVATION project, coordinated by Fundación Valenciaport is co-financed by the European Union via the “Connect Europe” programme.
The ship at the centre of the project currently operates in the Canary Islands. The shipping company Fred. Olsen, S.A., through the GAINN4SHIP INNOVATION project, will use LNG to connect the islands of the Canary archipelago in a greener and more sustainable way. The company intends to retrofit not just the Bencomo Express but also its entire fleet in the short-to-medium term, thereby maintaining the current shipping model of using high-speed vessels.
The technology proposed for retrofitting the Bencomo Express will convert its four high power 4-stroke engines to dual-fuel without the need to replace the existing engines.
This revolutionary model of inter-island transport based on the use of LNG as a marine fuel is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by at least 20% and sulphur emissions by 80%. In addition, it will generate an initial demand for LNG as a marine fuel in Spanish ports, which would represent a first step towards making Spain a strategic hub for supplying this type of fuel through its ports. Lastly, the project will contribute to the development of the Spanish shipping sector and LNG-related industry by creating jobs for highly-qualified workers.
Recently the initiative has celebrated being selected for the 2016 GENERA Innovation Gallery in the Energy and Environment International Trade Fair from June 15 – 17 at Madrid’s IFEMA venue.
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