Hyundai Heavy Industries and GE Aviation and Marine (GE) have jointly developed the world’s first gas turbine-powered LNG carrier. The company’s have also secured Approval in Principle (AIP) on the 174 000 m3 LNG carrier from Lloyd’s Register.
The IMO Tier III-compliant LNG carrier is equipped with GE’s gas turbine-based Combined Gas turbine Electric and Steam system (COGES 2.0). The vessel is expected to save shipowners or operators an estimated US$17.83 million, on the assumption that the LNG carrier operates for 20 years with an annual operating cost of US$720 000. The LNG carrier does not need additional equipment to handle exhaust emissions.
The gas turbine-powered engine is 60% lighter than conventional engines and is expected to lower operating and maintenance costs accordingly.
Brien Bolsinger, Vice President of GE Aviation and Marine, said: “We have put enormous efforts into developing the world’s first turbine-powered LNG carrier in close cooperation with HHI. With the AIP, we are proud to introduce the eco-friendly and fuel-efficient gas turbine-powered LNG carriers to the market.”
Shin Hyun-soo, CTO of HHI, added: “The LNG carrier we introduce today is a culmination of the seamless teamwork of GE and HHI. We will continue to enhance our competitiveness through ongoing technological cooperation including the application of the gas turbine engine to large containerships.”
Edited from press release by Callum O'Reilly