High-Tech LNG carriers

Samsung is working on a LNG carrier design fitted with two podded propulsion units. Not much is known about the technical aspects of this design but presumably it would involve the use of diesel- rather than steam-powered gensets. This could enable the vessels to realise fuel savings of some 40%. It is also possible that dual fuel diesel machinery could provide the solution by using boil-off gas as the secondary fuel to power the diesel-electric plants. Multi engine installation would be ideal for this situation where one or more engines could run on diesel fuel while others could use gas as an alternative to reliquefying the boil-off gas. A diesel-electric power plant linked to podded drive system would also increase the vessel`s cargo carrying capacity because of the smaller size of the engine room and the fact that it could be positioned further aft. Another bonus would be the possibility of dispensing with tugs at LNG terminals although this could be a contentious issue in view of the fact that safety is of prime importance. Samsung attributes its recent success in winning LNG carrier orders to the use of a highly sophisticated method of building named “membrane MARK-III”. The method involves attaching an additional layer of stainless steel plate on a layer of insulation panel made of polyurethane foam and plywood inside the storage tank of the vessels. It reduces the gross tonnage and deadweight and makes the vessels easier to handle. Three of the MARK-III types were ordered in June for $510 million. These include a 138,000m3 ship for Exmar of Belgium and two (with an option for one) for AP M?ller of Denmark.