Plans for first pure LNG barge unveiled
Karina Wieseler at the Weser port management company Bremenports told The Motorship “we believe that a hopper barge with pure LNG drive (not DF) would be the first ship of its kind in the world. It will be an inland ship and also the first German inland vessel with pure LNG drive (not DF)”, she added.
EU yards have until 28 October to seek specifications after which firm bids are expected up to early December. It is planned to award a contract in January, she said. She stressed that expertise and economy of operation would be key factors in the choice of shipyard.
Ms Wieseler said the choice of the LNG engine type and manufacture would depend on offers now made by shipyards.
A study already completed for Bremenports provides for a barge about 68.5m long and 10.2m wide, drawing 2.9m with a hold of 840m³ to carry silt from Bremerhaven to Bremen.
Originally conceived was a design with two main LNG mono engines each of about 300kW located in the stern. Ms Wieseler said there were not many such engines in this range approved for inland ship operation. She mentioned a Scania SGI 16 M Otto Cycle unit but added “an engine with a slightly greater output is also conceivable”. Ms Wieseler said Bremenports now hoped to learn more about engine possibilities from tenders submitted.
The Bremerports barge study also includes two IGC Code Type C tanks in the bow, each of 6m³, and two rudder propellers each of 310kW max developing about 9 knots. There would also be a bow thruster which Bremenports said could be a pumpjet or similar unit.
