BW LPG’s third retrofit completes sea and gas trials

BW LPG, the world’s largest liquid petroleum gas shipping company, has hit a new milestone in its LPG retrofit program.

In a brief statement through its social media channels, BW LPG said its this retrofit, the BW Orion has completed sea and gas trials.

The vessel follows BW Gemini and BW Leo, the first two very large gas carriers (VLGC) to be retrofitted with pioneering LPG propulsion technology.

It is also the third of a total of 15 vessels that will be retrofitted with the dual-duel LPG propulsion technology.

The retrofitting process is being carried out at the Yiu Lian Dockyard in Shenzhen, China.

BW LPG noted that the retrofit process emits around 2,060 tons of carbon dioxide, which is 97 per cent lower when compared to ordering a newbuilding with similar technology.

Decarbonization is one of the industry’s main challenges and a core commitment of BW LPG in the pursuit of sustainable development.

Using LPG as fuel for propulsion is a promising solution for sustainable shipping, the company believes.

LPG could also act as a bridging fuel to ammonia, as the materials used for LPG tanks and systems are, in most cases, suitable for ammonia. With advanced planning, the adjustments needed for a switch to ammonia from LPG could also be minimized, according to DNV GL.