Gas fuelled ship order confirmed

Stavanger-based Nor Lines has ordered the two natural gas operated ships to be built at Tsuji Heavy Industries (Jiangsu) in China for delivery in October 2013 and January 2014. The contract includes an option for two additional vessels.

The ship design was developed in close collaboration with Rolls-Royce Marine, and in addition to natural gas as fuel, the design includes several innovations related to hull design, propulsion plant and power production, all intended for optimum energy efficiency. Nor Lines says that the content of the vessels will ensure significant orders for Norwegian subcontractors, mostly related to environmentally-friendly technology.

Each vessel will have a capacity equivalent to 200 road trailers, with the high efficiency theme encompassing cargo loading and variety, with the ability to handle containers, rolling cargoes and palletised and frozen cargoes.

Nor Lines and its owner, Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab (DSD), sees natural gas as the future fuel in shipping operation, thanks to its low-emission characteristics compared with ordinary bunker fuel. The Environship Concept’s environmental features include the LNG tank, double hull and high standard accommodation, plus increased volume giving higher gross tonnage compared to current vessels. Nor Lines hopes that ships such as these will be able to benefit further from favourable taxation and port fees, but this depends on the authorities.