Exmar chooses LPG propulsion for VLGCs
Exmar is to build its LPG fleet with two VLGCs that will also burn the gas as fuelShipping company Exmar is to install liquid petroleum gas (LPG) burning two-stroke engines on two very large gas carriers (VLGC) to be built at Hanjin Heavy Industries’ Subic Bay shipyard by 2020.
The VLGCs will help Exmar fulfil its contract with Norwegian oil company Statoil, signed on 21 December, for the worldwide transportation of LPG. Exmar described the Statoil project as the first to offer a financial incentive for the use of LPG as a marine fuel.
Exmar reported that it had been involved in long-standing cooperation with Lloyd’s Register concerning classification, and with MAN Diesel & Turbo over the development of an efficient LPG fuel system that allows part of the cargo to be used for the vessel’s propulsion. As reported, MAN is developing the first LPG-burning two-stroke engine under a technical collaboration with its licensee Hyundai Heavy Industries.
LPG does not contain any sulphur and substantially reduces CO2 and NOx emissions. When used as a fuel, particulate matters are almost halved compared to a conventional engine burning heavy fuel oil.
The 79,500m3 vessels will be delivered within the third quarter of 2020.
