Wed 4 Apr 2012, 07:24 GMT

Vessels to feature diesel-electric propulsion


Norwegian owner aims to reduce fuel consumption with hybrid propulsion system.



Power systems company Rolls-Royce has secured a GBP 50 million order to design and equip two advanced offshore anchor handling vessels for Norwegian ship owner Farstad Shipping.

The UT 731 CD vessels are designed and equipped to handle anchors for oil rigs, tow rigs to location and also serve as supply vessels. They can operate in extreme climatic conditions and ultra deep waters, undertaking precise rig manoeuvring operations in water up to 3,000 metres deep. They are also equipped for sub sea construction and installation duties.

Each vessel will feature a fully integrated equipment system from Rolls-Royce including deck machinery and vessel control systems. They will also include diesel-electric hybrid propulsion systems to reduce the total fuel burn and cut CO2 emissions.

Anders Almestad, Rolls-Royce, President - Offshore said: "Rolls-Royce has a close working relationship with both Farstad Shipping and STX OSV. These customers' repeated choice of our market leading technology highlights the value Rolls-Royce delivers and the group's ability to design and equip robust, highly advanced offshore vessels that deliver optimal results for their owners and operators."

Both vessels will be built at the STX OSV Langsten yard in Norway and are scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2014. Farstad Shipping has now ordered eight vessels of this type

BP   Norway 

Alisios vessel. Axpo completes first LNG bunkering in Valencia, with over half bio-LNG  

Ship-to-ship transfer to a container vessel makes Valencia the company's fourth Spanish port for LNG bunkering.

Christening ceremony of Makua vessel. Matson christens Makua, first of three LNG-ready Aloha Class container ships  

Dual-fuel vessel, due for delivery in early 2027, is the first of three ships worth around $1bn.

CMB.Tech logo. CMB.Tech seeks Singapore-based ammonia operations manager for Asia Pacific  

New hire will oversee ammonia chartering and bunkering and liaise with Far East partners.

Lumi Aurora vessel. IINO Lines deploys first Ice Class IB VLGC on long-term charter to Borouge International  

LPG-fuelled Lumi Aurora will carry North American gas to Borouge International's Porvoo plant in Finland.

Abelina Wagenborg vessel launch. Wagenborg launches first EasyMax 2.0 vessel, prepared for methanol, ammonia and LNG  

Abelina Wagenborg, built at Niestern Sander, is the first of a new generation designed for multiple alternative fuels.

NYK and MISC joint venture signing. NYK–MISC joint venture signs charter for 18,700-cbm LNG carrier with Malaysia LNG  

Asia LNG Transport will operate the dual-fuel diesel-electric newbuild, due from Hudong-Zhonghua in 2028, on routes to Japan.

Tsuneishi logo. Study finds methanol dual-fuel retrofit of Kamsarmax bulk carrier would take about 75 days  

Report by Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center, involving Tsuneishi, puts conversion costs at 25–30% of the cost of a conventionally fuelled newbuilding.

LR, Shell and GTT joint development project (JDP) launch. Lloyd's Register, Shell and GTT launch joint project on hybrid-electric 200,000-cbm LNG carrier  

Partners to develop a concept combining hybrid-electric propulsion with GTT NEXT1 cargo containment technology for larger LNG carriers.

ClearMariner homepage. ClearMariner expands maritime sanctions screening with ESG, emissions and API support  

Online service now combines sanctions checks with voyage CO₂, CII, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime estimates.

Long Jing Xin, Flex Commodities. Flex Commodities adds Long Jing Xin to Singapore marine fuels team  

Company appoints associate for marine fuels as part of plan for regional expansion.