Fuel-efficient propulsion plant for LNG vessel carriers

Paul Boughton

ABB has secured total orders worth close to US$40 million from three leading gas transportation industry players in the first quarter of 2013 to supply power and electric propulsion equipment for LNG vessels to be built in South Korea.

ABB will supply its fuel-efficient and environmental friendly propulsion plant to work in combination with a duel fuel diesel engine plant on board a 155,000 cu m capacity LNG carrier ordered from Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) by a South East Asian ship owner.

The membrane-type vessel is expected to be delivered by HHI’s Ulsan yard in 2015. The scope of supply by ABB will include generators, switchboards, transformers, drives and propulsion motors where all the components are manufactured by ABB factories.

In a second agreement, ABB will deliver a similar power and propulsion plant package to a pair of 160,000 cu m capacity LNG carriers that have been ordered by an American Gas major player from Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI). These two ships will be built at SHI’s Geoje Island facility for delivery between 2015 and 2016. Together in this agreement is also an order for the same package plus additional switchboards to one 170,000 cu m LNG FSRU for a Norwegian/South East Asian ship owner. The ship will be built at SHI’s Geoje Island facility for delivery in 2015.

As per June 1st 2013, a total of 38 DFDE LNG Carriers are under construction/commissioning with ABB power & propulsion system.

Heikki Soljama, Head of ABB Marine and Cranes business unit says: “Repeat orders for LNG carrier power and propulsion systems via HHI and SHI consolidates our strong relationship with two of the leading yards in the field. Our success in winning these contracts demonstrates that we are well on our way to achieving our targets in the fast-growing LNG industry, and is in line with our position as a supplier of choice in this technically demanding segment.”

For more information, www.abb.com

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