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BP Takes Delivery of World's Largest LNG Carrier

Posted on: Monday, 9 July 2007, 12:21 CDT

BP Shipping has taken delivery of the British Emerald, a liquefied natural gas carrier (LNGC), the first in a series of dual-fuel diesel-electric gas ships. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, Korea, at 155,000 cubic meters it is the largest LNGC to date.

The technologically advanced vessel is more fuel efficient than comparable LNG carriers. According to BP Shipping, the dual-fuel technology allows the diesel engines to run on "boil-off" gases from the cargo tanks or on conventional diesel fuel. The vessel will burn 40 tons per day less than a conventional LNGC of similar size which would burn about 180 tons per day.

Being powered by four diesel-electric engines also provides a significant improvement in propulsion redundancy and the vessel is equipped with a bow thruster to assist in mooring operations.

The British Emerald and its sister ships have an overall length of 288 meters and a breadth of 44.2 meters.

The 23 man crew will put the vessel though an extensive commissioning program lasting approximately 10 days prior to entering service. BP intends to trade this vessel world-wide.

This vessel is the first of a fleet of four "Gem" class LNG carriers; British Diamond, British Ruby and British Sapphire will be delivered in 2008.

Source: Datamonitor

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