French LNG containment giant GTT is joining forces with classification society ABS and crude oil tanker operator DHT to work on an LNG-powered VLCC design.
In that regard, the three firms signed a joint development project at Gastech in Singapore to optimize a new, very large crude carrier with LNG propulsion that meets class and statutory requirements.
According to the three firms, the dual-fuel vessel “promises to provide flexibility for operations and to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
The agreement will see ABS, GTT, and DHT focus on optimizing the VLCC design, exploring the total cost of operation by analyzing the operating profile and also fuel availability at frequently visited ports.
In addition , the companies will collaborate on subjects such as LNG fuel volume, tank size optimization, and impact on regulatory measures such as carbon intensity indicator (CII).
John McDonald, ABS president and COO, said LNG has “significant potential” to improve the emissions performance of vessels, including VLCCs.
He added that flexibility afforded by dual fuel operations combined with the potential for improved CII rating “may well contribute to a longer lifespan and increase appeal to charterers.”
Moreover, GTT’s chairman and CEO Philippe Berterottière said this JDP aims to develop the “future of crude oil transportation with the most advanced environmentally efficient VLCC design.”
The French firm received in June an approval in principle from classification society DNV for an LNG dual-fuel VLCC fitted with a fuel tank of 12,500 cbm equipped with GTT’s Mark III system.
Besides the VLCC, GTT won approval for an LNG dual-fuel Suezmax tanker fitted with a fuel tank of 5,500 cbm equipped with GTT’s Mark III system.
GTT developed the concepts with the support of Finnish ship designer Deltamarin.
