Mon 25 Jun 2012, 13:42 GMT

Norwegian firm takes delivery of LNG-fuelled ship


Operator aims to reduce fuel consumption with gas-powered platform supply vessel.



Rolls-Royce, the global power systems company, has announced that Island Offshore has taken delivery of Island Crusader [pictured], the first gas-powered Rolls-Royce offshore vessel. This new and advanced UT 776 CDG platform supply vessel, is the first of two ordered by Island Offshore.

Managing Director of Island Offshore, Håvard Ulstein, said: "A very important area for Island Offshore is reduction in fuel consumption. With the UT 776 CD, the favourable hull lines contribute to a very low consumption rate over a wide range of operating draughts. We believe that the most significant contribution to reducing emissions is to reduce fuel consumption for a given amount of work done. Going for LNG fuel is a logical step in reducing emissions even further."

Jørn Heltne, Rolls-Royce, Senior Vice President, Ship Technology - Offshore said: "As always it is a pleasure to see a new vessel delivered to satisfied owners. This innovative vessel is the first of its kind and is designed to reduce the impact on the environment while increasing fuel efficiency. We are very pleased that Island Offshore has again placed its trust in our technology and offshore design expertise."

This is the first offshore vessel to feature lean burn gas engines as main engines. As a result nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions will be reduced by about 90 percent while sulphur oxide (SOx) emissions and particulates will be negligible. CO2 emissions will also be significantly reduced.

The vessel is also equipped with two diesel engines for periods when it needs to operate away from gas supply.

Island Crusader will operate in the North Sea undertaking transport, supply and service duties between onshore supply bases and offshore drilling sites. It is 96 metres long and will also be equipped for oil recovery.

Including this latest delivery, Island Offshore has seven UT 776 CD platform supply vessels in service and three more under construction.


RINA employee on board vessel. RINA unveils Mermaid propulsion concept to navigate uncertain decarbonisation landscape  

Fuel-agnostic design claims savings of more than 1,000 tonnes per year in some applications.

Adinkerke and Aalter naming ceremony. Exmar names third and fourth dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessels  

Midsize gas carriers Adinkerke and Aalter named at formal ceremony.

Professor Lynn Loo, GCMD. GCMD outlines practical approach to quantity assurance in marine biofuel supply chains  

New report addresses verification of both total fuel volume and renewable content in biofuel transactions.

Steel-cutting ceremony of London Express class vessel. Hapag-Lloyd cuts steel for first vessel of new London Express class  

16,800-TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel is first of 12 newbuildings in the class.

Vessels at sea. DNV report warns regulatory uncertainty complicates fleet investment decisions  

CEO urges greater clarity to provide the confidence needed for long-term investment.

Blue Whale NxtGen Energy battery system. Corvus Energy launches LFP battery system developed with BYD Energy Storage  

Blue Whale NxtGen Power targets tugs, ferries and workboats with high power demand.

Welcome ceremony of Yampu vessel. World’s first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier enters service in Australia  

MV Yampu connects South Australia’s limestone trade with a battery-electric propulsion system.

Skipanes vessel. E-methanol-ready ro-ro vessel delivered to Smyril Line  

190-metre vessel is built for year-round North Atlantic operations and designed for future e-methanol conversion.

Belgium flag. Sunoil Biodiesel secures approval to supply biofuels in Belgium  

Dutch biofuel supplier expands its European footprint with Belgian market entry.

Tacoma Maersk naming ceremony. Maersk takes delivery of dual-fuel methanol-capable Tacoma Maersk in China  

9,000-TEU vessel is one of six mid-sized dual-fuel ships joining Maersk's fleet.