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The Netherlands-based LNG for Short Sea Shipping (LNG for SSS) consortium has selected eight ships to be monitored in a research project to evaluate the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a transport fuel.

The vessels participating in the project will vary in length from approximately 80 metres to 160 metres, and in tonnage from 2,500 to 15,000 deadweight tonnage (dwt).

The project will initially look into determining the cost of implementing and using LNG systems. The results will then be compared with existing scrubber technology and low sulphur marine diesel/gasoil.

According to the consortium, each of the ships monitored will have their own specific operational profile, in order to gain a general insight into the feasibility of using LNG for a certain ship type and its sailing route and cruising speed.

LNG for SSS points out that not only cargo vessels will be monitored during the initial phase of the project, but also ferries, bunker vessels and dredgers operating in coastal waters.

"For each scenario - the technical, operational and economic - the most attractive alternative will be determined," LNG for SSS said.

LNG for Short Sea Shipping has the following partners: Bureau Veritas, CMTI, Cofely West Industrie, Conoship International, Cryonorm Projects, Damen Shipyards Bergum, Econosto, Koers & Vaart, Lloyds Register, LNG24, Meyer Werft, Pon Power, Rolls Royce Marine, Sandfirden Technics, VIV, Wagenborg Shipping and Wärtsilä.

The project is supported by TKI Gas and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and is scheduled to continue until December 2014.