Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has announced five AIPs (Approval in Principle) for transportation of liquefied gases other than LNG.
There is an abundant supply of ethane, as an outcome of the US shale gas revolution. In order to use this ethane, it must be transported. As a result, interest in ethane as a cargo is on the rise, giving way to the need for dedicated vessels. The five AIPs received from Class Societies (ABS, BV, CCS, DNV GL and Lloyd’s Register) confirm that membrane technology is in a solid position among the range of containment systems.
GTT's existing Mark III technology is being enhanced to the transport gases other than LNG, including ethane, ethylene, propane, butane and propylene.
Membrane technology has long been a preferred choice in the LNG shipping market, and it has also been a viable solution for GTT cargo containment systems on very large ethane carriers. GTT has provided designs for sea transport of ethylene and liquefied petroleum gases (LPGs) since 1964, with carriers ranging from 1100 m3 to 120 000 m3 (ex. Pythagore, Descartes, Annabella, Ben Franklin).
Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT said: "These five AIPs awarded to GTT's proven membrane technology and the recent order of six ethane carriers (VLECs) using this technology are major steps forward in demonstrating the suitability of the GTT membrane systems for transportation of multiple types of cryogenic gases in their liquid state."
Adapted from press release by Callum O'Reilly