A Rolls-Royce pure-gas engine has propelled Nor Lines’ Kvitbjørn into the history books by becoming the world’s first vessel to operate between Asia and Europe solely on LNG as the ship’s bunker fuel.
The ship sailed to Norway from Tsuji Heavy Industries shipyard in Jiangsu, China, via Singapore, and subsequently LNG bunkerings in Cochin, India and Cartagena, Spain. This was the longest voyage ever undertaken by a vessel running solely on LNG and was completed in Bergen on 29 March, Rolls-Royce said in a statement.
The Environship, which can be adapted for different ship types, incorporates a range of Rolls-Royce technologies. These include a Bergen engine powered by LNG, the Promas combined rudder and propeller, a hybrid shaft generator to optimise use of electrical power and an innovative wave-piercing hull design. The combined technologies that make the Environship concept reduces CO2 emissions by up to 40 per cent compared to similar diesel powered vessels, dependent on operational profile.
Oscar Kallerdahl, Rolls-Royce, Sales Manager- LNG Systems , said, “It is important to note that the Bergen B35:40 gas engine is not a dual-fuel engine. A pure gas engine and shaft generator driving a controllable pitch propeller is the most effective configuration for keeping emissions low and improving fuel consumption.”
This arrangement is coupled with a hybrid shaft generator for electric Power Take In (PTI) which ensures flexibility and redundancy of the system when needed.
Kvitbjørn is about to enter operation delivering cargo in ports between Hamburg, the Netherlands and the Norwegian mainland’s most Northern city, Hammerfest. Nor Lines expects to take delivery of sister ship Kvitnos in June.
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