ABS issues LNG-Ready approval to product tanker

In accordance with its Guide for LNG Fuel Ready Vessels, which was published in 2014, ABS has issued the first LNG-Ready approval to a product tanker. The tanker is the first of four vessels built by Aker Philadelphia Shipyard Inc. (APSI) for Crowley Maritime Corp. APSI is a wholly owned subsidiary of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard ASA.

By complying with the ABS Guide for LNG Fuel Ready Vessels, these latest vessels will have to option of being converted to LNG fuel at a later date.

Christopher Wiernicki, the Chairman, President and CEO of ABS, said: “ABS has played a fundamental role in supporting the ambitions of the maritime industry as it moves to embrace the opportunity of LNG as fuel.

"This milestone builds upon our work to provide owners with the guidance and support they need to move ahead with shipbuilding projects that allow them the flexibility to respond to changes over the lifetime of their vessels.”

The LNG-Ready endorsements enable ship owners and shipyards to have greater flexibility in limiting their initial investment, whilst also giving them the ability to plan for a future conversion to dual-fuel or gas-fuelled engines. A well made plan can help ship owners handle environmental regulations and save both time and money by taking gas-fuelled ship requirements into consideration at the very beginning of the designing phase. Therefore, the amount of potential changes during a future conversion operation can be limited.

Rob Grune, SVP and General Manager Petroleum Services for Crowley, said: “Crowley is proud to be the first company to actually receive this designation from ABS.

"As our business continues to shape itself to better meet the requirements of our customers, these vessels that stand ready and able to operate on a cleaner, alternative fuel source are our way of anticipating future demands.”

Scott Clapham, SVP of Aker Philadelphia Shipyard, added: “Working with ABS and Crowley to build the first LNG-Ready product tanker has been a valuable process and has allowed the shipyard to deliver a vessel with the flexibility to evolve in the future.”

Edited from press release by David Rowlands

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/03112015/abs-issues-lng-ready-approval-to-product-tanker-1569/