LNT Marine completes containment system trials aboard Saga Dawn

Liquefied natural gas technology provider LNT Marine has completed gas trials for its novel LNT A-BOX containment system aboard mid-size LNG carrier Saga Dawn.

LNT Marine said that the Saga Dawn LNG carrier was due for delivery from China Merchants Heavy Industry Jiangsu shipyard.

Saga LNG Shipping and CMIH signed a contract for the 45,000-cbm LNG carrier in late 2015, with the yard subsequently entering into a license agreement with Singapore’s LNT Marine for the containment system.

Kjetil Sjølie Strand, CEO LNT Marine, said: “The success of the gas trials […] verifies that the LNT-A BOX concept is a viable solution for flexible LNG carriers. We are delighted that the gas trials have been a success and now look forward to seeing Saga Dawn entering commercial service.”

Due for delivery in July, the ABS-classed Saga Dawn is based on LNT Marine’s LNT45 design whereas the basic design was developed in cooperation with Sweden’s FKAB. It will be the first vessel to operate a completely new LNG containment system in decades, LNT Marine said in its statement.

The LNT A-BOX system is based on proven technologies but in a novel patent-protected configuration. The design is based on an independent tank type A as the primary barrier and a full secondary barrier.

“We are currently involved in a number of projects to develop new LNGC designs based on the LNT A-BOX concept, including an 80,000-cbm LNG carrier, shallow draught vessels and small and mid-size FSRUs,” Strand added.

LNT Marine has also developed a semi-pressurised LNG fuel tank dubbed LNT Fuel-BOX which recently received an approval in principle from ABS.