GTT and SDARI offer new solution for LNG-powered bulkers

France’s GTT and China’s Shanghai Ship Design and Research Institute (SDARI) have secured approval in principle from DNV for a new tank solution applied to LNG-powered Newcastlemax bulk carriers.

GTT designed the membrane tank up to the supporting steel wall while SDARI studied its integration into the vessel, according to a joint statement.

This approval confirms that the membrane fuel tank solution complies with safety regulations and is technically feasible onboard LNG-powered bulk carriers, the statement said.

In addition, this design improvement offers increased autonomy and “drastically reduces sulphur and greenhouse gas emissions compared to a standard Newcastlemax design,” they said.

Furthermore, it features “great flexibility” as a vessel with this design would be able to complete a Brazil-China round trip with a single LNG bunkering, the statement said.

This solution does not affect the available cargo space nor the vessel’s accommodation, according to the partners.

New bulk carrier solution for shipowners

GTT, SDARI and DNV studied, among other things, the structural arrangement of the tank above of the engine room, the dimensioning of the LNG injection system from the tank to the engines, as well as the interface of the bunker station, the statement said.

DNV also reviewed aspects relating to naval architecture, such as damaged stability.

GTT’s chief Philippe Berterottière said that, following DNV’s approval, the partners now bring a new bulk carrier solution to shipowners that is both “competitive and sustainable.”

Moreover, Morten Løvstad, VP and global business director for bulk carriers at DNV, said this marks the first AiP by the classification society for the use of membrane technology as fuel tank onboard bulk carriers.

“This type of vessel is another R&D achievement that combines the latest technology in the market enabling future shipping in line with carbon peak and carbon neutral targets,” Wang Gangyi, the chief engineer of SDARI, said in the statement.

Most Popular

Another steam LNG carrier sold for demolition

An NYK-managed steam liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has been sold for demolition, according to brokers.

NFE seals Puerto Rico LNG supply deal

NFE said in a statement that the contract is currently under review for approval by the Financial Oversight and...

Canada approves Ksi Lisims LNG project

According to a statement on Monday, Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, issued her decision under the...

More News Like This

HD Hyundai Heavy, DNV to work on new LNG carrier design

South Korean shipbuilder HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding with classification society DNV to collaborate on the development and verification of an optimized 200,000 cubic meter LNG carrier.

GTT develops new LNG fuel tank

French LNG containment giant GTT has developed a new cubic-shaped LNG fuel tank for commercial vessels, with a particular focus on LNG-fueled container vessels.

Hudong-Zhonghua gets approvals for new LNG bunkering vessel

Chinese shipbuilder Hudong-Zhonghua has received approvals from five classification societies for a 25,000-cbm LNG bunkering vessel design it jointly developed with French LNG containment specialist GTT.

Jiangnan gets OK for LNG carrier with type B tanks

China’s Jiangnan Shipyard has received approvals from classification societies ABS for a 175,000-cbm liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier equipped with "Brilliance II" type B LNG tanks.