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Volkswagen to use LNG-powered car carriers from 2019 onwards

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LNG Industry,


Volkswagen Group has announced that, from 2019 onwards, it will use two LNG-powered vessels to transport vehicles between Europe and North America. The vessels will be chartered from Siem Car Carriers AS, and will replace two of the nine freighters fuelled by heavy fuel oil (HFO).

The carriers will be approximately 200 m long, 36 m wide, and capable of carrying approximately 4500 vehicles. They will also both feature a 3000 m3 LNG tank installed below deck, as well as a 12 600 kW engine developed by MAN Diesel & Turbo.

The company claims that it is also considering the use of LNG-powered RoRo car carriers on other routes as well.

Wolfram Thomas, Head of Group Production, said: “The Volkswagen Group is shouldering its responsibility for the environment. This not only applies to our cars but also to our production and logistics. We are pooling all our efforts to improve environmental compatibility in Logistics under the term Green Logistics. By commissioning the two LNG-powered freighters for the route between Europe and North America, Volkswagen Group Logistics is forging ahead with environmentally compatible, resource-efficient transport.”

Thomas Zernechel, Head of Group Logistics, added: “Compared with other means of transport, marine shipping is one of the most efficient possibilities. Volkswagen Group Logistics already transports half of the vehicles produced by sea. We are continuously working on the optimisation of our marine transport systems. The chartered vessels on which a decision has already been taken are the first milestone.

“The possibility of changing other vehicle transport vessels chartered by Volkswagen over to LNG operation will depend on the availability of the necessary infrastructure. Apart from LNG as an alternative fuel, we are also working on other projects which will continuously make our logistics processes more environmentally compatible.”

Kenneth Ross, the CEO of Siem Car Carriers AS, said: “We are pleased to have taken on board a partner in Volkswagen Group Logistics with whom we can pursue this innovative, future-oriented approach to roll-on/roll-of transport for the first time. The use of LNG-powered car carriers not only makes marine transport of this type more environmentally compatible but will also make the entire operation significantly more efficient in the long-term.”

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/05102016/volkswagen-to-use-lng-powered-car-carriers-from-2019-onwards/

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