Seoul: Leading shipyard Hyundai Heavy Industries has built the world's largest liquefied natural gas carrier (LNGC) at its Ulsan premises for owner BP Shipping. The vessel (pictured), named the British Emerald, boasts a capacity of 155,000 cubic metres and is the first in a series of four sister ships. The others - British Diamond, British Ruby and British Sapphire - will be delivered in 2008. All the vessels will have an overall length of 288mtr and a breadth of 44.2mtr.
BP Shipping claims that the design and construction of the ship make it more fuel efficient than comparable LNG carriers and will reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. "The dual-fuel technology allows the diesel engines to run on 'boil-off' gases from the cargo tanks or on conventional diesel fuel," the company said, adding, "The vessel will burn 40 tonnes per day (tpd) less than a conventional LNGC of similar size which would burn about 180 tpd."
The company also expects improvement in propulsion redundancy as the vessel is powered by four diesel-electric engines and is equipped with a bow thruster to assist in mooring operations.
BP Shipping currently operates a fleet of more than 180 vessels, including three 138,000 cu m LNG ships built in 2002 and 2003; and five other LNGCs between 127,000 and 135,000 cu m.
This largest ship type honour for BP and HHI will not stand long as the real supersizing of LNG vessels, as ordered by the Qataris kicks in soon, with a rash of 216,000 cu m and 255,000 cu m carriers on order in Korea. [06/07/07]
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