LNG

BV awards AiP to Mitsubishi Shipbuilding for LNG FGSS

6 years ago

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd., a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) Group, has been granted Approval in Principle (AIP) by classification society Bureau Veritas (BV) for an LNG fuel gas supply system (FGSS) for marine four-stroke dual fuel engines.

Kazuo Yamashita, Chief Executive, Japan – Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore presenting the AiP certificate to Naoki Ueda, Executive Vice-President, Mitsubishi Shipbuilding (credit: Bureau Veritas)

The approval was confirmed in a presentation ceremony at Mitsubishi Shipbuilding’s headquarters in Yokohama today.

The FGSS comprises an LNG fuel tank, gas supply unit, control systems, and other relevant equipment. The system was developed mainly to be installed on coastal ferries and small to mid-sized cargo ships.

The FGSS will use small size ‘vacuum-insulated’ type containment tanks with a double shell structure that ensures high heat insulation and also allows the external cylinder of the tank to remain at normal temperatures. This simplifies the support structure requirements for the tank and reduces installation work. Furthermore, the design of the Tank Connection Space has been optimised to reduce space requirements, and to streamline operational, and maintenance requirements.

Claude Maillot, Bureau Veritas Senior Vice President, North Asia, who presented the AiP certificate by a video call from Shanghai, commenting today, said: ‘This new system has received BV’s approval in principle recognizing that Mitsubishi Shipbuilding has clearly demonstrated that the new system meets our class rules and standards for gas safety and regulatory compliance. I congratulate Mitsubishi Shipbuilding – it is their deep experience and knowledge, acquired through decades of LNG carrier construction and technical development, that have enabled them to develop this innovative new system.’

Maillot concluded: ‘Innovations like these are helping drive the industry towards better environmental and operational performance – while reducing risk. Sharing our LNG expertise, we are very proud to be able to support Mitsubishi Shipbuilding in realizing their ambitions.’

Mitsubishi Shipbuilding notes that it delivered its FGSS in 2019 to be installed on Japan’s first LNG-fuelled car carrier, currently being built at Shin Kurushima Toyohashi Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.