BW’s first converted VLGC to LPG dual-fuel propulsion has started sea and gas trials in the South China Sea.
The BW Gemini started a week-long trial following the completion of retrofit works at China’s Yiu Lian shipyard in Shenzhen, BW LPG, a unit of the Singapore-based gas shipping giant, said on Wednesday.
With the start of trials, BW Gemini has achieved a “historic milestone” as the world’s first VLGC to be fueled by LPG, the firm said.
The retrofitting process at Yiu Lian took approximately 60 days emitting about 2,060 tons of carbon dioxide.
This is approximately 97% lower when compared to ordering a newbuilding with similar technology, BW LPG said.
To remind, Yiu Lian is converting in total 12 very large gas carriers for BW’s LPG unit.
Last month, the yard started retrofitting the second carrier BW Leo to LPG dual-fuel propulsion.
BW LPG expects the works to take about two months per vessel with the last retrofit scheduled to complete in the second half of 2021.
The company will invest over $100 million in upgrading a part of its fleet to LPG dual-fuel propulsion as it looks to comply with the new IMO rules and slash emissions.
BW LPG owns and operates a fleet of 46 VLGCs, with an average age of 8.7 years.