New participants join PERFECt project

Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), CMA CGM (and its subsidiary CMA Ships) and DNV GL have signed a cooperation agreement with new project participants for phase two of the Piston Engine Room Free Efficient Containership (PERFECt) project.

The new project participants are ABB, the Caterpillar company Solar Turbines, and OMT.

The PERFECt project investigates the possibility of using a combined gas and steam turbine system (COGAS) to power an ultra large container vessel (ULCS). The first phase of the project was performed by GTT, CMA Ships and DNV GL. The participants released a technical and feasibility study for a COGAS-powered LNG-fuelled electrically driven mega box ship. Based on the results of that study, the PERFECt vessel design was found to offer potentially increased cargo capacity, greater layout flexibility and reduced maintenance costs than comparable conventionally powered HFO and LNG designs.

The aim of the second phase of the project is to detail the technical concept and the commercial feasibility. The second phase will build on the results of the original study which was launched in 2015, utilising the technical expertise of the project partners to further optimise the overall design. Some of the focus areas for phase two are: process technology optimisation of the COGAS system including the steam turbine, use of the available cooling capacity of the LNG, and further optimisation of the ship design to attain greater efficiency and increased cargo capacity.

Ludovic Gérard, Executive Vice President CMA Ships, said: “CMA CGM and its subsidiary CMA Ships position themselves as pioneers by contributing to this worldwide leading innovation. We are glad to be part of the second phase of the PERFECt project, which aims at ensuring the best efficiency of this innovative vessel design […] The COGAS system with electrical propulsion gives us a great deal of freedom in the general arrangement and in tailoring the installed power to the real operational requirements we are facing. New partners will bring their expertise to go further than the initial concept.”

Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of new participant, GTT, said: “GTT is pleased to collaborate with key technical and industrial players to develop the PERFECt project. The results of the first phase prove not only that the project is technically and economically viable, but also that the proven technologies can been deployed to make the PERFECt project a reality.”

Juha Koskela, Managing Director of ABB’s Marine and Ports business, said: “We are very excited to be part of the PERFECt project. ABB technology is already powering the first LNG-powered ice breaker and cruise ship, and we look forward to exploring its possibilities for container vessels.”

Ennodio Ramos, Vice President, Power Generation and Strategic Growth of Solar Turbines Inc. (a Caterpillar Company), commented: "The PERFECt Ship consortium is unique in that it brings all parties together towards one common goal of efficient cargo transportation […] In the future, LNG will play a major role as both a marine and low emissions fuel. Gas turbines burn LNG in a clean and efficient manner exceeding any current marine emission restrictions and provide a safe margin for future cleaner ships. Solar Turbines looks forward to participating in this consortium."

Nigel Parkinson, Caterpillar Marine Managing Director, notes: "Our customers are asking for solutions to improve vessel efficiency, drive down operating costs and maintain leading-edge up time […] The expertise of our Caterpillar Marine experts from the Gas Technology Group out of Caterpillar Motoren GmbH & Co. KG, Kiel, and together with all project partners, Caterpillar Marine is prepared to offer solutions to our customers today to help them achieve this goal.”

Thomas Eefsen, Business Development Director for Containerships at OMT, said: “We are pleased to be part of the PERFECt project, which brings together leading maritime companies for joint innovation. It is very exciting to investigate the potential of a combined gas and steam turbine system in large containerships, and we trust that the project will result in a good and competitive ship design for the future.”

Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen, CEO of DNV GL – Maritime, added: “It is a real pleasure to see top industry names take an interest in driving forward an innovative project like PERFECt […] As LNG bunkering stations continue to grow in numbers and global coverage, projects that push the efficiency envelope on LNG-powered vessels could result in significant market advantages for first movers.”

Gerd Würsig, Business Director LNG fuelled Ships at DNV GL – Maritime, concluded: “This MOU brings a new set of expert capabilities to a project that has already delivered very promising results. Our object with phase two is to work towards a design concept with a sufficient level of technical depth for a purchasing decision.”

Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/08092016/new-participants-join-perfect-project-3024/