DNV GL has presented Dalian Shipbuilding Industry Company limited (DSIC) with an Approval in Principle (AIP) certificate for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) –fuelled very large crude carrier (VLCC).
The certificate proves that the new innovative VLCC design complies with the Gas Fuelled notation as given by DNV GL in the rules for the classification of ships and the recently adopted International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF) Code.
The VLCC design uses type C fuel tanks located on the open deck, minimising the impact on the overall layout and thereby reducing disturbance on cargo carrying capacity. Furthermore, the LNG fuel tanks allow the ship to sail a round trip from the Middle East to the United States without the need to refuel.
Greater flexibility is also given in bunkering options while allowing the ship to meet International Maritime Organization (IMO) nitrogen oxides (NOx) Tier III requirements in gas fuel mode.
Additionally, a 30% reduction factor to comply with Phase 3 of the Energy Efficiency Design Index
(EEDI) regulations is possible. When in LNG mode, the complete elimination of particulates and sulphur oxides (SOx) is possible while providing a significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Torgeir Sterri, DNV GL Vice President and Regional Manager in Greater China commented: “This AIP is another step toward the more widespread adoption of LNG as a fuel for shipping. The emissions and efficiency benefits of LNG mean it is almost sure to become an important part of the fuel mix over the next few years. We have seen its adoption in many sectors already and now with this AIP, the world’s first for a VLCC, this major shipping sector could see its first LNG-fuelled vessel soon.”
