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The energy division of General Electric Company will host a tour on June 6 for delegates of Zeus Development Corporation's LNG-Fuelled Marine Seminar to review a new high speed propulsion system to be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The state of the art water-jet system is being manufactured for the 100-meter Buquebus catamaran, which will transport up to 1,000 passengers between Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay, at speeds up to 50 knots (57.5 miles per hour).

"Catamarans have become the favored design for fast ferries due to their stability at high speeds," said Bob Nimocks, president of Zeus Development Corporation. "This is the first application worldwide that will use LNG. We're fortunate that GE is hosting this tour."

More than 60 high-speed catamarans transport thousands of passengers daily around the globe, at least 16 of which operate in the United States. Their traditional fuel is marine diesel.

"LNG offers superior performance because it contains more hydrogen than diesel or heavy-fuel oil," Nimocks said. "LNG's cold temperature also offers an opportunity to cool charge air to achieve even higher efficiencies."

Since the 1970s, designers of catamarans have increased their lengths from some 20 meters to more than 115 m currently. The world's largest, the Stena Line, is capable of speeds in excess of 60 knots (69 mph).

At GE's East Houston turbine facility, participants will be able to see the LM2500 dual-fuel system and learn of the latest advancements in efforts to fuel more ships with LNG.

Speakers during the day and a half meeting following the tour include representatives from Lake Michigan Carferry, Trinity Offshore, LLC, DNV, Argent Marine, Waertsilae and Man Diesel & Turbo. Representatives from General Dynamics NASSCO, IPR-GDF SUEZ North America, J.E. McKechnie LLC, John W. Stone Oil, Martin Energy Services, Repsol Energy, RRJ Management, and Shell Oil are among the participants.