Polish Seatech Engineering Develops LNG Push Tug

Polish Seatech Engineering has drafted innovative designs of an inland waterways push tug driven by liquefied natural gas (LNG), Dag Pike writes.

Accordingly, the challenges for placing 35cm LNG tanks have been met by locating them in the forward section of the hull, below a raised section of deck.

The tug is said to be able to develop a speed of 16 to 18 km/hour when pushing the normal two barge tow loaded. Its main engines are a pair of 720 KW Mitsubishi diesel engines retrofitted so as to be able to use LNG.  Based on the design the forward skeg of the hull would include a gas fuelled generator and a bow thruster.

The push tug is envisaged to accommodate a crew of 4 members, who would be provided with accommodation contained in three container type modules, located around the aft funnel. In this way, they would be provided with isolated location, free of noise and vibration.

Prompted by the increasing desire to reduce emissions, the tug designers have opted for LNG powered inland waterway vessels in order to meet ever more stringent DNV and IMO rules. What is more, the design heralds increasing need for such vessels pending creation of bunkering stations for LNG powered vessels using the inland waterways.

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LNG World News Staff, September 14, 2012; Image: Seatech Engineering