GE, Hudong-Zhonghua LNG carrier design granted ABS approval in principle

GE’s Marine Solutions and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding on Tuesday received the approval in principle (AIP) from the America Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for a jointly developed LNG carrier design.

The vessel will be powered by GE’s Combined Gas Turbine Electric and Steam (COGES) system, GE said in its statement.

Brien Bolsinger, vice president, GE’s marine operations said that the approval opens the door for ship owners to procure the 178,000-cbm LNG carrier that “is capable of meeting Tier III International Maritime Organization and Tier 4 United States Environmental Protection Agency emissions requirements.”

Since the GE turbine is dual-fuel capable, it can operate on the boil off gas or on marine gas oil for power and propulsion, HZ president Chen Jun added.

The COGES system will feature one GE gas turbine generator, one heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) and one steam turbine generator.

The vessel itself will have an overall length of 290 meters, breadth of 46.95 meters and draught of 11.5 meters the two companies informed.