BW’s fourth VLGC conversion to LPG dual-fuel propulsion is almost ready to start trials in the South China Sea.
China’s Yiu Lian shipyard has undocked the 2015-built BW Libra for yard trials, before the vessel is gassed up for sea trials later this week, according to BW LPG.
The Chinese yard will convert in total 15 very large gas carriers to LPG dual-fuel propulsion for the LPG unit of Singapore’s gas shipping giant BW.
BW Libra joins BW Orion, BW Gemini and BW Leo that are already using LPG as fuel.
To remind, BW LPG has recently committed an additional three VLGCs for its propulsion retrofitting program.
Moreover, this announcement followed BW Gemini’s first transpacific voyage and subsequent loading operation at the Enterprise terminal in Houston.
The world’s largest owner of VLGCs sees a bright future for LPG as fuel as it will help the firm decarbonize its operations.
The retrofit project has a combined cost of about $130 million.