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Project partners GTT, CMA CGM (and its subsidiary CMA Ships) and DNV GL have signed a cooperation agreement with new project participants ABB, the Caterpillar company Solar Turbines, and OMT for phase two of the Piston Engine Room Free Efficient Containership (PERFECt) project.

The PERFECt project investigates the possibility of using an LNG-fuelled combined gas and steam turbine system (COGAS) to power an ultra-large container vessel (ULCS). The first phase of the project, performed by GTT, CMA Ships and DNV GL, was said to have shown "promising results" with regard to the commercial competitiveness of the design compared to an LNG-fuelled ship with conventional propulsion system. The aim of the second phase of the project is to detail the technical concept and the commercial feasibility.

"CMA CGM and its subsidiary CMA Ships position themselves as pioneers by contributing to this worldwide leading innovation. We are glad to be part of the second phase of the PERFECt project, which aims at ensuring the best efficiency of this innovative vessel design," said Ludovic Gerard, Executive Vice President CMA Ships.

"The COGAS system with electrical propulsion gives us a great deal of freedom in the general arrangement and in tailoring the installed power to the real operational requirements we are facing. New partners will bring their expertise to go further than the initial concept," Gerard added.

"GTT is pleased to collaborate with key technical and industrial players to develop the PERFECt project. The results of the first phase prove not only that the project is technically and economically viable, but also that the proven technologies can been deployed to make the PERFECt project a reality," commented Philippe Berterottiere, chairman and CEO of GTT.