alternative fuels
The world's first LNG bunkering vessel Seagas is transporting gas to Viking Grace
LNG at the forefront
The use of LNG in passenger ferries has gained momentum and while the fuel has not yet been used for cruise ships, it seems only a matter of time before it enters this market
AS the 2015 deadline for the Marpol Annex VI low sulphur regulation looms and fuel prices soar, the use of LNG has increased significantly on passenger ferries. There have been a number of recent announcements about LNG newbuilds and while the cruise industry has not yet adopted this fuel, the indications are that it will do so very soon. At the recent Cruise Shipping Miami (CSM) conference, Rolls-Royce vice president of innovation, engineering and technology Oskar Levander told delegates: “The price of gas is extremely low. LNG is cheaper than oil and cheaper than many fuels; it is even below the price of coal.” He also warned, however, that “the gas market is not global in the sense that oil is, as it has a more local dimension, which means there can be a difference in price depending on the area. For example, the price difference between gas in Japan and the US is quite large. Therefore, one solution that is right for one ship in one area might not be the same for a ship in a different region.” Mr Levander added that the low prices of gas (compared to oil), together with the low sulphur regulation due to come
64 I Passenger Ship Technology I 2nd Quarter 2013
into effect in 2015, meant the passenger shipping industry was “at the beginning of a new transition area for marine fuels.” He predicted that there would be “a much more diverse fuel palette, with not just one fuel but many different types and LNG will be one of them. However, marine gas oil and low sulphur oil will also be included, as well as niche fuels like ethanol, and the use of wind power might even come back.” Indeed, while there are other alternative fuel options, LNG
is the strongest contender. Maurizio Cergol, chief cruise vessel designer for Fincantieri shipyard, said nuclear energy could one day be used to power ships but that the infrastructure of ports, the possible concerns of passengers and the availability of fuel were potential impediments. Speaking at the CSM conference, Mr Cergol discussed the use of fuel cells for the same purpose, but added that this would not be an option for operators for at least another 10 years. The cells are still undergoing tests and are still only 500kW in size. Solar panels, which at present can produce just 150kW per square metre, might lose out for the same reason, he said. While LNG is still to enter the cruise market, it has already been embraced by the passenger ferry industry. Since the beginning of the year, a number of ferries have started to use dual fuel or LNG, and others are currently under construction. Viking Line’s Viking Grace, delivered in February this year, is operated by LNG, while Fjord Line’s new twin vessels Stavangerfjord and Bergensfjord are said to have the largest pure LNG tanks and engines ever installed on a passenger ferry (see pages 18-23). Ferry operators who deploy LNG will receive €12 million
(US$16 million) per vessel from Norwegian NOX fund and €9 million from the European Union’s Marco Polo fund – a financial incentive that will no doubt encourage other passenger
www.passengership.info
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