A Rolls-Royce
pure-gas engine has propelled Nor Lines’ Kvitbjørn into the history books by becoming the
world’s first vessel to operate between Asia and Europe solely on LNG as the
ship’s bunker fuel.
Tor Arne Borge,
Nor Lines, CEO said: “The success of the voyage from Asia to Europe on LNG not
only confirms the energy-saving and emissions-reduction attributes of
Rolls-Royce’s pure gas engine but provides evidence to owners of larger tonnage
that LNG is not just for short sea coastal ships. The Environship concept with
the Bergen engine has exceeded all our expectations.” The ship sailed to Norway
from Tsuji Heavy Industries shipyard in Jiangsu, China, via Singapore, and
subsequently LNG bunkerings in Cochin, India and Cartagena, Spain. This was the
longest voyage ever undertaken by a vessel running solely on LNG and was
completed in Bergen on 29 March.
The combined
technologies that make the Environship concept reduces CO2 emissions by up to 40
per cent compared to similar diesel powered vessels, dependent on operational
profile.
This arrangement
is coupled with a hybrid shaft generator for electric Power Take In (PTI) which
ensures flexibility and redundancy of the system when needed.
John Knudsen,
Rolls-Royce, President of Commercial Marine, said: “We congratulate Nor Lines on
the delivery of Kvitbjørn, and wish
the company every success in their future steps towards a greener shipping
industry. The success of this historic delivery voyage will give encouragement
to those customers looking to embrace more environmentally friendly ship designs
and technology.” Oscar Kallerdahl, Rolls-Royce, Sales Manager- LNG Systems,
said: “The realization of Kvitbjørn is a significant milestone in the shipping
industry’s fundamental transition from diesel fuel to LNG. It is important to
note that the Bergen B35:40 gas engine is not a dual-fuel engine. A pure gas
engine and shaft generator driving a controllable pitch propeller is the most
effective configuration for keeping emissions low and improving fuel
consumption.”
Kvitbjørn is about to
enter operation delivering cargo in ports between Hamburg, the Netherlands and
the Norwegian mainland’s most Northern city, Hammerfest. Nor Lines expects to
take delivery of sister ship Kvitnos in June.
The Environship
can be adapted for different ship types.
Key facts about
the Environship
• The
Rolls-Royce Bergen B-Series lean burn gas engines, as used in the Environship,
emit around 17 per cent less greenhouse gases (CO2 minus methane slip) per unit
of power than a diesel engine.
• The use of gas
fuelled engines means that Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions are reduced by about
90 per cent while Sulphur Oxide (SOx) emissions are negligible.
• These
emissions are already within the limits of IMO (International Maritime
Organisation) Tier III environmental legislation, due to come into force in
2016.
• The
Rolls-Royce Promas propulsion system is an integrated rudder and propeller,
which alone improves efficiency of the vessel up to eight per cent.
• The innovative
bow shape and hull form, designed by Rolls-Royce, also reduce resistance by up
to eight per cent, therefore reducing fuel burn and emissions further.
• The vertical
bow shape enables the vessel to maintain speed even in rough seas enabling
operators to achieve demanding shipping schedules without the need to burn
additional fuel to make up lost time
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