Bureau Veritas to class Suezmax tankers as Gas-Prepared

Classification society Bureau Veritas on Thursday informed it will grant ‘Gas-Prepared’ notation to six Suezmax tankers under construction for Dynacom Tankers Management.

The oil tanker specialist is the first shipowner to apply for the notation BV said in its statement.

The 157,000 dwt tankers will measure 274.3 meters in length, with a beam of 48 meters and depth of 23.2 meters. They are being built at New Times Shipbuilding in China, with delivery expected in 2017 and 2018.

The ‘Gas-Prepared’ notation sets out requirements for ships which are designed and fitted out for dual-fuel or LNG fuel propulsion, but which are not initially intended to use gas as a fuel, enabling owners to convert easily to dual fuel or LNG fuel propulsion in the future.

Under the Bureau Veritas’ Rule Note released in late 2015, the initial design of the ship is to take into account the necessary spaces or zones to accommodate the future installations of an LNG bunkering station, LNG storage tanks, fuel gas handling system, ventilation systems, GVU, GCU, where required by NR529, and the vent mast.