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.


Illustration of balance scale with cargo ship and penalty block. FuelEU penalties spark contract disputes as first-year compliance costs emerge  

Shipowners and charterers negotiate biofuel handling, payment timing, and multiplier penalties under new regulations.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. Singapore tops first global container port ranking by DNV and Menon Economics  

The port leads across all five assessment pillars in inaugural industry report.

Jack Spyros Pringle, Lloyd’s Register. Marine fuel procurement becomes strategic imperative as regulatory pressures mount: LR  

Operators must adopt comprehensive fuel strategies amid supply constraints and compliance costs, says Lloyd's Register.

Xinfu124 ultra-large LNG carrier. Private Chinese shipbuilder plans to deliver eight dual-fuel boxships  

Yangzi Xinfu is fully booked until May 2029 and expected to post annual sales revenue exceeding $1.4 billion.

Østensjø Rederi newbuild tug render. Østensjø Rederi orders methanol-ready tug from Spanish shipyard  

Norwegian operator contracts Astilleros Gondán for vessel with diesel-electric hybrid propulsion system.

Bound4blue worker in safety gear. Bound4blue establishes China production base for wind propulsion systems  

Spanish wind propulsion firm targets Asian shipbuilding market with outsourced manufacturing network.

Alfa Laval and Hanwha Ocean Ecotech sign MoU. Alfa Laval and Hanwha Ocean Ecotech partner on ammonia fuel systems  

Collaboration aims to develop ammonia fuel technology for dual-fuel vessels in the Asian market.

Meg Dowling, Lloyd's Register. Nuclear-powered boxships could deliver $68m annual savings: Lloyd's Register  

Small modular reactors could eliminate fuel costs and carbon penalties while boosting cargo capacity, says report.

Minerva Bunkering and Autoridad Portuaria de Las Palmas (APLP) signing ceremony. Minerva Bunkering extends Las Palmas terminal concession by 15 years  

Bunker supplier adds barge capacity and explores new terminal for energy transition fuels.

Liam Blackmore, Lloyd's Register. Ammonia Energy Association releases gas detection whitepaper with Lloyd's Register input  

Lloyd's Register contributed expertise to new guidance on ammonia detection systems for the maritime sector.