LR LNG 100 not out

The recent orders of classification services for six LNG carriers have resulted in an important milestone for Lloyd?s Register (LR): over 100 LNG ships now exist or are being built to LR class, confirming the organisation?s market leadership in the classification of LNG ships. This milestone is also significant because the new ships, two for Teekay Shipping and four for BP Shipping at Hyundai Heavy Industries, will feature dual-fuel engines, a recent innovation in LNG ship propulsion.

In the shipment of LNG, there is a great deal of focus on efficiency and the environment, two areas in which dual-fuel engines excel. In contrast to traditional steam turbines, dual-fuel engines are capable of burning both conventional oil fuel, and gas fuel with oil fuel pilot injection, and can change between the two modes of operation when required. The high efficiency of dual fuel, combined with its low fuel consumption, allows owners and operators to reduce their operating costs. In addition, dual-fuel engines incorporating electronically controlled combustion give low NOX and CO2 emissions, potentially making them a more environmentally friendly choice.

“We expect these vessels to set new standards for safety and environmental performance, and we are looking forward to working closely with Lloyd?s Register and HHI in meeting the technical challenges in their design and construction,” says Adrian Howard, Director of Technical Assurance for BP Shipping.

LR classed the first LNG ship in the world to bear the notation ?Liquefied Gas Tanker? in 1958. “From the earliest stages of the idea of transporting LNG by ships, through more than 47 years of new concepts and evolving technology, LR has established and maintained a leading position at the forefront of the LNG industry,” says Tony Bingham, Global LNG Business Manager for LR.

“The 100th LNG ship-in-class milestone underscores our experience in the design, construction and operation of LNG ships, as well as our extensive knowledge of the dual-fuel engine and other new concepts in LNG ship propulsion and containment systems.”

“Since our entry into the LNG transportation business we have worked closely with LR on many levels and have used LR?s core team of LNG specialists for training and project specification development. We value the input provided by LR with its history of experience within the LNG industry, its knowledge of emerging technologies and its appreciation of the complexity of LNG ships,” says Robert Hedley, Vice-President of Marine and Technical Services for Teekay Shipping.

LR currently classes the largest share, 37%, of the LNG fleet worldwide with a total of 104 ships, 65 in the existing fleet and 39 on order.