DSIC touts gas carrier repowering solution

The shipbuilder has worked with turbine provider GE Marine Solutions on a feasibility study that aims to provide a competitive retrofit solution for 10-15 year-old steam-powered gas carriers. The concept deploys GE’s combined gas turbine, electric and steam (COGES) system.

Yingbin Ma, deputy technical director, DSIC, said: “A gas turbine’s smaller footprint allows for the minimum necessary conversion work required by the shipyard. By converting to a COGES power system, the fuel efficiency of the ship will be improved by 30%. This allows ship owners to increase the charter rate and win back opportunities in a market dominated by dual-fuel diesel engines.”

The concept envisions a gas turbine being added to the vessel while the old steam generators are retained for power generation. The existing diesel generator will also remain, as a backup for the electric power system. The re-use of equipment helps reduce the total investment of the conversion.

The study is based on a 138,000m3 gas carrier and DISC said the concept can be applied on other ships of a similar size.