ABS to Class LNG-fueled Nordic Hamburg Containerships

Leading provider of classification services to the maritime and offshore industries, ABB, says it has  been chosen to class two LNG-fueled containerships to be built in China for German owner GNS Shipping/Nordic Hamburg.

The 1,400 teu vessels will feature dual-fuel propulsion enabling them to burn LNG and conventional bunker fuel. They will be built at Yangzhou Guoyu Shipbuilding Co. Ltd, for GNS Shipping/Nordic Hamburg for long-term charter to Containerships Ltd Oy, of Finland.
 
ABS will review the design, survey the construction and class the ships for operation on delivery in the course of 2016. The order includes options for a further two vessels.

"We are delighted to have been awarded the classification contract for these innovative containerships, which draw on our real-world experience classing vessels using LNG as fuel," says ABS Europe Division President and COO Kirsi Tikka. "As shipowners embrace alternative fuels to achieve regulatory compliance and operational efficiencies, ABS is uniquely placed to provide the support needed to realize technically demanding newbuilding projects."

The vessels feature a design which reduces the impact of LNG bunker tanks on container capacity, with a layout arrangement between two cargo holds. Both the main and at least one auxiliary engine will use dual-fuel technology, providing cleanly generated electricity for the ship's 300 reefer containers.

"We are pleased to be working with ABS on this project that will change the game for LNG-fueled ships in the European Sulfur Emission Control Area," says GNS Shipping/Nordic Hamburg Managing Director Dr. Rowil Ponta. "These ships will be the new benchmark for the European feeder trades and in ABS we have a partner with the technical competence and experience to help us deliver."
 
ABS is a world leader in the LNG as fuel concept, having classed the first LNG-powered containerships for US-operator TOTE and the first dual-fuel offshore support vessels in the US for Harvey Gulf. This past spring, ABS released the landmark study Bunkering of Liquefied Natural Gas-fueled Marine Vessels in North America, which provides guidance to potential owners and operators of gas-fueled vessels, as well as LNG bunkering vessels and facilities, to help them obtain regulatory approval for projects.
 
The ABS Global Gas Solutions team provides support to members and clients involved in all aspects of gas handling and transport or use as fuel.

Other ABS news
ABS Vice President of Global Gas Solutions Patrick Janssens and other members of the team will make a presentation on ABS capabilities related to gas projects during SMM at 1:30 pm local time, 11 September.