Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding CSSC, Shell Shipping and Maritime, and Wärtsilä Marine have launched a new hybrid electric liquified natural gas (LNG) carrier design.
The project is the result of extensive industry collaboration across the value chain, including contributions from Shell Shipping & Marine, CSBC Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding and Wärtsilä.
The compact propulsion system achieves a cargo capacity of 185,000 cbm within the standard size and displacement of the 174,000 cbm vessel design.
Although LNG carriers are designed for a speed of 19.5 knots, some sources indicate that the current average speed is around 15 knots. Wärtsilä says this means that they do not operate as well, and therefore it will be higher emissions, when using current two-stroke solutions.
Based on the actual operation of today’s LNG carriers, the new modular hybrid-electric design achieves the following approximate savings:
Modular, electrified and hybrid systems are expected to provide higher efficiency and lower emissions under all ship operating conditions.
Furthermore， it will offer greater operational flexibility and the possibility to efficency integrate future decarbonization technologies.
Electric propulsion is highly proven technology including in the large LNG carrier segment. There are approximately 230 vessels in operation today with electric propulsion.
Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding has recently received approval in principle for its new LNG carrier design, currently the world’s largest with 271,000 cbm of cargo tank capacity. AiP has been issued by four major classification societies: ABS, DNV, LR, and BV.