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Rolls-Royce has signed a US$6.5 million contract with Turkey's Tersan Shipyard to supply a liquefied natural gas (LNG) propulsion package for a cargo carrier designed by NSK Ship Design for Norwegian shipowner NSK Shipping.

The new cargo carrier will be a slightly larger sister ship to NSK Shipping's MS Høydal, which was the world's first LNG-powered cargo vessel, and which was delivered from Tersan Shipyard in 2012. It was also designed by NSK Ship Design.

Once constructed, the 81.5-metre-long vessel will be able to carry 2,700 tonnes of fish food on behalf of BioMar Group to fish farms along the Norwegian coast.

In a statement, Kristian Høydal, NSK Shipping Managing Director, said: "We are proud to be trusted once again by BioMar to deliver their finished product to the fish farming industry and to be able to work with Rolls-Royce on the delivery of a more environmentally friendly and effective LNG-powered vessel."

Kjartan Karlsen, NSK Ship Design Managing Director, remarked: "We are thrilled that our designs have contributed to the use of LNG in powering cargo vessels, therefore reducing carbon footprints. We commend NSK Shipping and Rolls Royce for being at the helm of a more sustainable industry."

Helge Gjerde, Rolls-Royce, President Offshore and Merchant Solutions, commented: "BioMar and NSK Shipping invest in modern technology that helps reduce fuel costs and environmental footprint. They are among the absolute frontrunners in the area of short sea shipping."

The LNG propulsion system comprises one eight-cylinder Bergen C26:33 natural gas engine rated at 2160 kilowatts (kW), a Promas combined rudder and propeller system, one tunnel thruster in the bow and one in the aft, and a Rolls-Royce automation and DP system.

The vessel is also equipped with the Rolls-Royce hybrid shaft generator (HSG) propulsion system. This means the main engine also generates electricity for the ship. The HSG will generate electrical power for the ship even if the engine power output varies, thus saving fuel. The HSG can also act as a propulsion motor (PTI) providing an alternative power source should LNG becomes unavailable - a prerequisite for class approval.

Rolls-Royce claims its Bergen gas engines are the only pure gas engines on the market using a spark plug ignition. Alternative 'dual-fuel' engines use a small amount of diesel for ignition.

The engine supplier also says that its Bergen engines provide "a significant reduction in fuel and lubrication oil consumption".

The B and C Series engines are said to emit around 22 percent (including methane slip) less CO2 per unit of power than a diesel engine. Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions are said to be negligible, and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are estimated to be reduced by 90 percent.