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MHI completes development of next-generation LNG carrier; apple-shaped tanks and hybrid propulsion
12/1/2014 |
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Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has completed development of the "Sayaringo STaGE," a next-generation liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier.
As explained by MHI, the Sayaringo STaGE was developed as a successor to the "Sayaendo1," and is capable of passing through the newly expanding Panama Canal which is expected to go into service early in 2016.
The adoption of apple-shaped tanks (ringo being the Japanese word for "apple") has enabled a near 16% increase in LNG carrying capacity without changing the ship's width, while incorporation of a hybrid propulsion system has boosted fuel efficiency by more than 20% compared to the Sayaendo (and more than 40% vis-à-vis earlier carriers).
"The basic design of the Sayaringo STaGE has now been completed, with the vessel's LOA (length overall) set at 297.5m, width at 48.94m, depth at 27.0 and draft at 11.5m. Four apple-shaped tanks are featured. The developed design provides 180,000 cubic meters (m3) in total LNG tank capacity, but capacity can be set in accordance with the customer's transport needs," MHI said.
Leveraging the Sayaringo STaGE's capacity for transporting North American shale gas safely and efficiently, MHI said it plans to undertake extensive business activities promoting the new vessel as a strategic product among its LNG carrier offerings.
Whereas the Sayaendo has a continuous cover over spherical pea-shaped tanks, the tanks adopted on the Sayaringo STaGE have an apple-like shape with the upper half bulging more than the lower half .
STaGE, an acronym deriving from "Steam Turbine and Gas Engines," is a hybrid propulsion system combining a steam turbine and engines that can be fired by gas.
The components of the Sayaringo STaGE system are the "Ultra Steam Turbine plant" (UST), a reheating steam type marine turbine developed independently by MHI, a dual-fuel diesel engine capable of operating on both gas and oil, and an electric propulsion motor.
Plant efficiency has been significantly improved through the UST's effective use of the engine's waste heat, resulting in a propulsion system enabling high-efficiency navigation throughout a full range of speeds.
Since MHI developed the Sayaendo in 2011, orders have been steady, according to MHI, commencing with the first order that called simultaneously for two vessels.
"To date a total of eight vessels have been ordered, including one ordered through MI LNG Company, Limited, a joint venture with Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. Now, with the Sayaringo STaGE as a successor ship to the Sayaendo offering increased transport capacity and greater fuel performance, MHI aims to conduct brisk marketing activities for its next-generation LNG carriers delivering superlative environmental performance in its quest to make a robust contribution to the global LNG transport industry," the company said. |
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