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Hanjin, GTT and DNV GL have signed an agreement to jointly investigate and to develop a gas-fuelled large container vessel concept equipped with membrane fuel tanks.

The project partners presented the joint development project (JDP) as part of the DNV GL Forum at the SMM 2014 international maritime trade fair in Hamburg, Germany.

The JDP partners have agreed to work together to develop a concept for sailing long distances on liquefied natural gas (LNG) by using technologies that are either "well-proven technologies" (containment for LNG as cargo) or already deployed in the market (dual-fuel low-speed two stroke engines) and the associated systems.

The concept study focusses on a 16300 TEU Container vessel designed by Hanjin Shipyard, sailing from Asia to Europe. Such a profile would mean that the vessel has to pass, at least in Europe, through a Sulphur Emission Control Area (SECA), and therefore comply with the upcoming emission limitations related to sulphur.

The evaluated vessel would be equipped with a dual-fuel two-stroke engine and two membrane tanks with a total LNG capacity of 11000 cubic metres (cbm), which is estimated to be sufficient for approximately 15,000 nautical miles. The tank size could be adjusted depending on the operating profile of the vessel and in particular the expected sailing time / distance in SECA areas.

The JDP focuses on the LNG fuelling system, consisting of the bunker station, LNG fuel tanks, gas preparation and fuel supply systems.

Hanjin is designing the key components of the LNG supply system; GTT is responsible for the integration of the fuel containment system; while DNV GL provides design review, hazard identification and, upon the successful completion of the project, approval in principle of the design. DNV GL says the assessment of the safety performance of the gas supply system and the integration of the tank system will be the key aspects of its contribution to the JDP.

In addition to the technical aspects of the project the economic feasibility will also be evaluated, based on DNV GL’s LNG Ready Step 1 procedure. This procedure includes the evaluation of the LNG tank location and range in gas mode based on the ship’s operational profile, the outline of the necessary requirements for an LNG-ready or LNG-fuelled design and the overview of LNG availability in relevant locations.

The main particulars of the vessel are as follows:

Length overal (L.O.A.): Aprroximately 397 metres
Breadth: 56.1 metres
Design draft (MLD): 14.5 metres
Fuel tanks (LNG): 2X 5500 cubic metres (symmetric with Centerline)
Length of the tank: Approximately 12 metres
Height of the tank: Approximately 22 metres
Breadth of the tank: Approximately 24 metres
Engine: Dual-fuel MEGI-engine

Image: Left to Right: Jun-Keun Choi, Senior Design Engineer Hanjin Heavy Industries, Benjamin Scholz, DNV GL Maritime Ship Type Expert of Gas Carriers, Arthur Barret, LNG Bunkering Program Director, GTT, at the presentation at the DNV GL Forum.