GE to supply propulsion for Chinese LNG carriers

The six ships, each of 174,000m³ capacity, are being built Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group, for various owners, including China Shipping Group and Sinopec Kantons Holdings. The carriers, which will be used for transporting LNG from Australia to China, will be delivered between April 2016 and November 2017.

According to GE, the decision to use dual-fuel diesel-electric propulsion marks a turning point in propulsion systems for large LNG ships built in China where until now either steam turbines or two-stroke engine technology has been the norm.

GE will supply induction motors with PWM propulsion technology driven by electricity generated from dual-fuel engines that can run on boil-off gas, MDO or HFO. For each vessel, GE will supply two shipsets comprising generators, main and cargo switchboards, transformers, MV7000 converters, motors and remote control. GE is responsible for design, engineering, commissioning, training and assistance for sea and gas trials.

Paul English, marine business leader for GE Power Conversion, said: “The combination of a single PWM drive and high-power direct-drive induction motor per shaft line is both simple to install and operate, has a very low maintenance requirement and is extremely reliable.”