Nor Lines’ 5,000 DWT short sea cargo ship »Kvitbjørn« has claimed the title of the world’s first ship to operate[ds_preview] between Asia and Europe solely on liquefied natural gas (LNG) as the ship’s bunker fuel. The ship sailed to Norway from Tsuji Heavy Industries shipyard in Jiangsu, China and bunkered LNG in Cochin, India and Cartagena, Spain.
The DNV GL classed »Kvitbjørn« will sail on a fixed route between northern Europe along the coast of Norway to the north of the country and back for transporting trucks. After conducting extensive customer analyses and interviews, the project has identified this market as covering some 17 to 20mill. t of goods each year. »The analyses show there is a significant potential market for a maritime-based logistics solution«, says Remi Eriksen, DNV GL Group Executive Vice President and COO.
The »Kvitbjørn« is one of two sister ships built to the Rolls-Royce Environship concept, a concept for a new »lift on/lift off« (LoLo) vessel. The cargo ferry is fitted out with a Bergen pure gas engine powered by LNG, a Promas combined rudder and propeller, a hybrid shaft generator to optimise use of electrical power and an innovative wave-piercing hull design. The combined technologies reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40% compared to similar diesel powered vessels, dependent on operational profile, Rolls-Royce claims. With its own cranes and cell guides the vessel can carry 110 to 140 40-foot/45-foot containers at a service speed of 12 to 15kn.
Meanwhile Rolls-Royce has confirmed its intention to sell its Michell Bearings business to British Engines Limited for a cash consideration of 12.6mill. £ (16.79mill. €). Subject to licence consents, the sale will be completed in autumn. Michell Bearings has been part of the Rolls-Royce Marine business for the past 15 years and is a premium designer and manufacturer of hydrodynamic bearings for a wide range of marine and industrial applications.M
