GE in Korean LPG-fuelled ferry design project

GE Aviation has signed a memorandum of understanding with ship designer Far East Ship Design & Engineering Co (FESDEC), ship manager DINTEC, fuel tank specialist Cryos, the Korea LPG Industry Association and Youngsung Global. The partners will cooperate in the development of the world’s first LPG-fuelled COGES ship, with the GE turbine system being used to provide both propulsion and power.

Bumsu Ku, CEO of Youngsung Global, said that the new ferry would operate on the Incheon-Jeju route as well as international passenger routes. As well as offering dramatically reduced opex, the LPG-fuelled ferry will also reduce NOx and CO2 emissions.

Brien Bolsinger, vice president of GE Aviation’s Marine Operations, said: “There is increased attention worldwide on LPG as a viable fuel for the maritime industry, and we are excited to collaborate on this ferry project. The compact COGES arrangement will allow for more passengers. Owners, operators, designers and shipyards will see that the system also offers lower life cycle costs.”

GE noted that no new technology is required to adapt its COGES turbine system to run on LPG. The company’s gas turbines operate on cruise ships, eight of which feature COGES arrangements. Other commercial marine applications include fast cargo ships, high-speed yachts, offshore platforms, and floating production and offloading ships. The same gas turbines are also used by 34 navies.