News: World's Biggest LNG Carrier Due in 2005

A 153,500 cu. m. LNG carrier ordered by Gaz de France from Chantiers de l'Atlantique - reported to be the largest ever LNG carrier - will be classed by Bureau Veritas and is due for delivery in 2005. The order includes an option for a second vessel. The vessels feature a long list of innovations, but two of them are particularly noteworthy.

The traditional steam turbine plant will be replaced by a low-pressure dual fuel diesel electric system. BV cooperated with Wärtsilä for the development of the safety concept of the low-pressure dual fuel diesel/gas engine, and has issued new rules for such engines.

The dual fuel diesel electric propulsion system is more compact as compared to a typical steam turbine plant installation, with the obvious benefit of providing for more cargo space. In addition, operators have more flexibility with respect to crewing, as engineers familiar with turbine installations are now in short supply. Machinery redundancy is enhanced, cutting the risk of a power failure. Another major feature is that the cargo gas will be carried in the new GTT CS1 membrane system. BV co-operated with GTT on the complex calculations and modeling needed to develop the cost-effective CS1 containment system. CS1 was granted BV concept approval in 2002.

The CS1 containment system combines the best features of the proven Mark III and NO96 membrane systems. According to BV, this solution offers increased strength, faster fabrication, and a cost reduction of 15 percent compared to existing systems. Partial loading conditions are also possible, improving operational flexibility.