Six new type very large gas carriers (VLGCs), as well as two conventional VLGCs, and three medium gas carriers (MGCs), will be equipped with complete Wärtsilä gas cargo handling systems.
Wärtsilä said that the systems minimise the time the carriers need to be docked at the gas terminals, thereby reducing the operational costs.
The contracts for a total of 11 systems with Wärtsilä were signed in November, and the deliveries are scheduled for the period between late 2016 and early 2018.
Wärtsilä’s gas reliquefaction plants have a higher refrigeration capacity and better efficiency than earlier versions delivered to VLGC’s. According to the company, the plants will be capable of handling propane with a high ethane content, i.e. 8,5% mol.
“During recent years we have delivered numerous systems for different sizes and types of these ships, and these latest contracts provide further evidence of our leading technologies in this field,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Flow and Gas Solutions, Wärtsilä.
The ships are all being built at the South Korean Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) and Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) facilities for Greek, Korean, Norwegian and Singaporean owners.
Scheduled for delivery during 2017 and 2018, the new type VLGCs have a cargo capacity of 78,700 m3 and have been designed to meet the size requirements for the current Panama Canal.
The complete scope of the Wärtsilä cargo handling systems includes the cargo pumps, inert gas plants, and an equipment package comprising compressors, heat exchangers and control systems. Wärtsilä will also provide the necessary engineering, arrangement drawings, site commissioning at the yards, and crew training.