Chinese Shipbuilder Gets VLCC Design Approval-in-Principle from RINA
Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS) has received approval in principle from RINA for its design of a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) that uses liquified natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen as fuel.
According to a joint statement from SWS and RINA, the vessel’s propulsion system will reduce ship resistance by 5-10% by splitting the thrust of a single large propeller into two smaller ones, allowing for a reduction in the volume of ballast tanks and overall ship dimensions without impacting cargo capacity. The use of LNG and hydrogen as fuel will also enable the vessel to meet the International Maritime Organization’s 2050 targets for carbon emissions.
The design, developed in collaboration with Marin, the Liberia Administration, Wärtsilä, ABB, Helbio and RINA, is based on combining LNG with steam in a gas reformer to produce hydrogen and CO2. The hydrogen is used to fuel internal combustion engines and fuel cells, while the CO2 is captured and separated cryogenically, eliminating the need for chemicals and reducing energy consumption. The modular and scalable design only requires LNG bunkering, which is widely available, and can be adapted over time to meet increasingly stringent emission reduction targets.
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Mr. Gao Aihua, Deputy Director of SWS R&D Department at SWS, said, “We are proud to obtain the first AiP for a VLCC to meet IMO 2050. Also, the reduction of ship’s resistance is a paramount step for ships of this size, towards the primary target of reducing the energy consumption on board, and this makes it even easier to reduce GHG emissions. This is a huge step forward in decarbonisation for the global industry and for shipbuilding in China. This is a huge step forward in decarbonisation for the global industry and for shipbuilding in China.”
Giosuè Vezzuto, Executive Vice President at RINA, said, “Following the AiP of an MR tanker, earlier this year, using the same solution to produce hydrogen on board, this vessel features a new approach to the design of VLCCs. It also demonstrates that the gas reforming concept can work equally well on smaller or bigger vessels, as this first AiP for a VLCC proves its application in the largest vessels.”
“One of the challenges for shipowners in meeting IMO carbon emission targets is knowing what the future holds,” Vezzuto noted. “The industry is considering many options using different technologies and new fuels, aiming to minimize the energy consumption and the resulting CO2 emissions on board. Shipowners need to be confident that onshore bunkering facilities and other supporting infrastructure will be available before investing in new vessels.
“This LNG/hydrogen fuelled design for VLCCs is modular and scalable and provides a practical solution that can adapt over time to meet increasingly stringent emission reduction targets and ensure their investment is optimized throughout the natural lifespan of the vessel. The design only requires LNG bunkering, which is widely available today.”
