LNG Containership Perla Del Caribe Fuels Up
On December 11, General Dynamics NASSCO completed bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the Perla Del Caribe, the world’s second containership to be powered by LNG. Bunkering services were provided by the California-based company Clean Energy as well as Baker Hughes and Envent during a 48-hour period at the NASSCO shipyard in San Diego. Representatives from NASSCO worked collaboratively with several regulatory agencies to prepare for the event, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the American Bureau of Shipping, the San Diego Fire Department, and the Air Pollution Control District.
Keel Laid for SEA-Vista’s First ECO Tanker
General Dynamics NASSCO informs it has hosted a keel laying ceremony for the first Jones Act ECO tanker currently under construction for SEA-Vista LLC, at the company's shipyard in San Diego. Eric Fabrikant, chief operating officer of SEACOR Holdings Inc., served as the ceremony’s honoree and authenticated the keel by welding his initials onto a steel plate during the ceremony. The steel plate with his initials will be permanently affixed to the ship's keel and will remain with the vessel throughout its time in service. The ECO tanker is the first of a three-tanker contract between General Dynamics NASSCO and SEA-Vista, which calls for the design and construction of three 50,000 deadweight ton LNG-conversion-ready product carriers with a 330,000 barrel cargo capacity.
NASSCO starts Work on 3rd ECO Tanker
General Dynamics NASSCO signaled the start of construction of a third "ECO" tanker to be built for American Petroleum Tankers at a steel cutting ceremony at NASSCO's San Diego-based shipyard. As part of a five-tanker contract, the new ECO tankers solidify a mutual commitment between General Dynamics NASSCO and American Petroleum Tankers to design, build and operate innovative and increased energy efficient and fuel-saving products. Each of the five 50,000 deadweight ton product carriers to be constructed by NASSCO will be LNG-conversion ready and will carry 330,000 barrels of cargo. With a specialized ECO design, the tankers are more energy efficient and incorporate environmental protection features, including a Ballast Water Treatment System. "This is an exciting time in the U.S.
First LNG Containership Receives ME-GI Engine
Late last month, NASSCO engineers placed the world’s first dual-fuel slow speed engine into the World’s First Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) powered containership. The ME-GI engine represents the next generation of technology that will open the door to a cleaner and safer shipping industry, particularly in the United States. Doosan Engine built the 8L70ME-C8.2GI under license from the designer MAN Diesel and Turbo. The engine weighs 539 tons. TOTE Shipholdings, Inc., a subsidiary of TOTE, is the first company to use these engines in their vessels.
SHIPPINGInsight 2013 Announces Agenda and Speaker List
The SHIPPINGInsight conference producers have finalized the agenda and confirmed speaker list for the 2013 Fleet Optimization Conference, scheduled for Oct. 22-24 at the Sheraton Stamford Hotel in Stamford, Conn. “The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Connect and Engage,’” said conference co-producer Frank Soccoli. “We are bringing together an impressive lineup of speakers, moderators, panelists, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates representing all segments of the shipping industry. New for 2013 is an extra LNG Workshop, which will take the form of a roundtable discussion of experts to consider the barriers, challenges, solutions and best practices for achieving widespread adoption of LNG as a marine fuel. The workshop is free for all registered delegates.
