Tue 4 Jun 2013, 07:24 GMT

First fuel-saving Environship launched


Fuel-efficient vessel is said to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent.



Rolls-Royce Plc. has delivered the first of a new design of cargo ship which will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40 percent, thanks to a combination of cutting edge marine technology, including a wave-piercing bow and an engine powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The first Rolls-Royce Environship, of NVC 401 LNG design, the Eidsvaag Pioner [pictured], was delivered to Norwegian company Eidsvaag AS last week, and will soon enter service on a year-round schedule delivering feed to numerous fish farms around the Norwegian coast.

The Environship, which can be adapted for different ship types, incorporates a range of Rolls-Royce technologies to deliver efficiency savings for ship owners. When compared to similar-sized diesel powered ships, the CO2 reduction is claimed to be up to 40 percent.

Neil Gilliver, Rolls-Royce, President - Merchant, said: "The Environship has now moved from concept to reality with the successful delivery of the first ship. We firmly believe that the only way to make significant reductions in emissions and fuel costs is to combine a range of innovative technologies into one ship. Environship does just that, by bringing together complementary technologies as part of a highly efficient propulsion system.

"We'd like to congratulate the Vard Aukra shipyard and our customer Eidsvaag on the successful completion of the first Environship, and look forward to monitoring the performance of Eidsvaag Pioner in service."

Vidar Eidsvaag, Operations Manager at Eidsvaag AS remarked: "We look forward to entering service with this vessel, the very first of the Environship concept. We have great expectations of both the design and equipment, and we hope and think that this vessel will enable us to meet future challenges in an even better way."

Rolls-Royce technologies featured in Environship include a Bergen engine powered by LNG, the Promas combined rudder and propeller, a hybrid shaft generator to optimize use of electrical power and an innovative wave-piercing hull design.

Image: The first Rolls-Royce Environship - the Eidsvaag Pioner.


Container ship near a port. Ammonia emerges as most feasible alternative fuel for deep-sea shipping in 2050 emissions study  

Research combining expert survey and technical analysis ranks ammonia ahead of hydrogen and methanol.

Cargo vessel at sea. EMSA study examines biodiesel blend spill response as shipping adopts alternative fuels  

Research addresses knowledge gaps on biodiesel-conventional fuel blends as marine pollutants and response measures.

BIMCO ETS BARECON clause 2026 graphic. BIMCO adopts ETS clause for bareboat charters, delays biofuel provision  

BIMCO’s Documentary Committee has approved an emissions trading compliance clause while requesting further work on a biofuel charter provision.

SALEFORM 2025 standard form graphic. BIMCO and Norwegian Shipbrokers’ Association launch SALEFORM 2025 ship sale contract  

Updated agreement addresses banking changes, compliance requirements and environmental regulations affecting vessel transactions.

Everllence H2 test engine. Everllence develops hydrogen test bench for marine engines  

German engine maker upgrades Augsburg facility under HydroPoLEn project backed by federal maritime research funding.

CMA CGM Osmium vessel. CMA CGM names 13,000-teu methanol-fuelled containership in South Korea  

CMA CGM Osmium to operate on Asia–Mexico service as part of the carrier’s decarbonisation strategy.

NorthStandard logo. NorthStandard publishes biofuel guide as marine insurance claims emerge  

White paper addresses quality issues and compliance requirements as biofuel testing volumes surge twelvefold.

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform (CMFP) logo. Maritime fuel platform calls for EU shipping ETS revenues to fund clean fuel deployment  

Clean Maritime Fuels Platform urges earmarking of national emissions trading revenues for renewable fuel infrastructure.

Seatransport 73m SLV Lloyd’s Register grants approval for hybrid nuclear power design for amphibious vessels  

Classification society approves Seatransport’s concept integrating micro modular reactors with diesel-electric systems.

Everllence ME-LGIE engine. Everllence and Vale partner on ethanol-powered marine engine development  

Brazilian mining company to develop dual-fuel ethanol engines based on ME-LGI platform.