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LNG: trialing the bunker fuel of the future

LNG: trialing the bunker fuel of the future
The City of New York's famed Staten Island Ferry will be seeing one of its vessels converted to LNG propulsion in a pilot project nearing the end of its planning stages, according to James DeSimone, the ferry's chief operating officer, who spoke to a crowded lunch meeting of the Connecticut Maritime Association (CMA).

The conversion, to be undertaken in conjunction with a scheduled 90-day docking of the 1,100 passenger vessel, will result in reduced costs and, importantly, in reduced emissions of greenhouse gases- a key component of "PlaNYC"- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's long term blueprint for the city. Funding for the project will come from a combination of a Federal grant, and local money.

The ferries run on a 22-minute trip across New York harbor between the lower Manhattan business district- and the terminal on Staten Island. The short trips, some 35,000 per year, in a 24/7 operation which moved 22.2m passengers in 2012, are a key reason why a dual fuel option is not considered viable.

As explained in the CMA presentation, "LNG is the only viable option at this time to stem the ever increasing and unsustainable costs of fuel in the marine sector and, at the same time, meet varying emissions requirements."

A possible reduction in fuel cost of 40% was mentioned in the speech. The approach is incremental; "We need to prove it with one vessel before we transition the entire fleet." He noted that the ABS has recently updated its rules for the operation of LNG powered vessels. Presently, he explained, preliminary designs were being developed, which would then require approval of both the ABS and the US Coast Guard before a procurement document goes out to potential vendors. Another challenge to be navigated is a current restriction on handling LNG within the city imposed by the local Fire Department.

Human factors were discussed at length by DeSimone, who said: "We are having a lot of discussions about training of crew- especially regarding the bunkering aspect." He added that employees would all likely be trained to the standards of SIGTTO- the international organisation promoting best practices for handling liquefied gasses.

The implications of the LNG engine retrofit (on either the Alice Austen or the John A Noble ) will extend far beyond New York City; according to DeSimone, his agency's efforts will be closely watched by ferry operators around the country. New York's project is the first such conversion in the US.