Dual-fuel LNG ship nears finish at Neptun

Neptun, a Meyer Group subsidiary, mounted the bow – the final hull section – on the new 156m long, 22.7m wide Coral Energy – last weekend. The sections have been produced at parent yard Meyer in Papenburg. Superstructures, funnel and tanks as well as shaft, propeller and ruder are now in place.

The 15,600m³ Coral Energy, which will carry liquid gas cooled to 164°C on European routes, is destined for the Anthony Veder Group in Holland. Veder operates more than 20 ships dedicated to the transport of liquefied gas. She was being floated out in September and outfitted up to autumn. When steel cutting started on the ship in Papenburg last November, Meyer said she would be delivered at the end of 2012.

Coral Energy, of 13,800gt and 8,000dwt, was computer-designed at Meyer and will be driven by a Wärtsilä main engine capable of LNG and heavy fuel oil operation. No further engine details have been released.

She is however the first ship of her kind from Neptun – which normally builds inland cruise ships – and from Meyer, better known these days for its cruise liners. Meyer has over the years however also built 55 LPG and LEG carriers. When the first steel was cut, the yard said the 15.8 knot Coral Energy “marks a new era”.

Meyer Managing Partner Bernard Meyer added “We see that especially the smaller-scale LNG market has a great future. Beyond that we will further improve our know-how in environmental-friendly technologies.”