As Vessel Sinks Off India, Race is on to Contain Oil Spill
Authorities in the southern Indian state of Kerala are racing to contain an oil spill in the Arabian Sea after the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC ELSA3 sank over the weekend, releasing fuel and more than 100 cargo containers into the water.The vessel was en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi when it capsized approximately 38 nautical miles off the Kerala coast on Saturday. All 24 crew members were safely rescued, according to local officials. The cause of the incident has not yet been disclosed.The Kerala chief ministerâs office confirmed Sunday that the entire ship is now submerged.
Avance Gas Delivers First of 12 VLGCs to BW LPG as Part of $1.05B Deal
Avance Gas has delivered the first very large gas carrier (VLGC) to BW LPG, marking the start of deliveries of total 12 vessels as part of $1.05 billion agreement signed earlier in 2024.Avance Gas concluded sale and delivery of the first VLGC, the 2015-built non-scrubber ship Chinook, to BW LPG on November 1, 2024.As part of the transaction, 1.35 million shares in BW LPG have been issued to Avance Gas corresponding to approximately 1% ownership share.The vessel is currently onâŠ
BW LPG Buys 12 VLGCs from Avance Gas in $1.05 Billion Deal
BW LPG on Thursday announced it has agreed to acquire 12 very large gas carriers (VLGC) from Avance Gas in a cash and stock deal valued at more than $1 billion.The deal will see Avance Gas sell off the entirety of its VLGC fleet, including four 91,000-cubic-meter (cbm) vessels built in South Korea in 2022 and 2023 and eight 83,000-cbm vessels built in China in 2015, and grows BW LPG's owned and operated VLGC fleet from from 41 to 53.According to BW LPG, this fleet expansion comesâŠ
LPG: Dual-Fuel Engines Prove Their Worth
BW LPG has demonstrated the value of dual-fuel LPG operations beyond the companyâs initial aim of meeting IMO 2020 Sulphur Cap regulations.In October 2020, the LPG carrier BW Gemini became the first very large gas carrier (VLGC) to have its low-speed main engine converted to an LPG dual-fuel engine. The project started several years earlier, sparked by Oslo-listed BW LPGâs preparations for the IMOâs 2020 Sulphur Cap regulations.Compared to heavy fuel oil, LPG reduces Sox emissions by approximately 97%âŠ
Tianjin Southwest Maritime to Convert LPG Carrier Pair for Dual-fuel Operations
MAN Energy Solutionsâ after-sales division, MAN PrimeServ, has announced the signing of a contract to retrofit two LPG carriers for Tianjin Southwest Maritime Ltd. â the Chinese liquefied-gas carrier operator. The COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry (Guangdong) yard will host the respective conversions of the individual MAN B&W 6G60ME-C engines aboard the âGas Geminiâ and âGas Aquariusâ to dual-fuel MAN B&W 6G60ME-LGIP units capable of running on LPG. The two vessels will be retrofitted in parallel, beginning May 30, 2023.PrimeServ will jointly carry out the work with CMS (CSSC Marine Service Co.
MAN Helps BW LPG Complete Dual-fuel Carrier Retrofits
Oslo-listed LPG vessel operator BW LPG has converted the main engine of the âBW Malaccaâ vessel to dual-fuel running. The last such conversion for a series of 15 LPG carriers, the shipâs MAN B&W 6G60ME-C9.2 type engine was retrofitted to an MAN B&W 6G60ME-C9.5-LGIP dual-fuel type capable of operating on fuel oil and LPG.The work was carried out at Yiu Lian Dockyards in Shenzhen, China in conjunction with the vesselâs scheduled, five-year docking and under the supervision of MAN PrimeServ, MAN Energy Solutionsâ after-sales division.
Tech File: Wärtsilä Delivers Last of 15 LPG Fuel Supply Systems
Wärtsilä said it completed delivery of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) fuel supply system (LFSS) to 15 very large gas carrier (VLGC) vessels owned and operated by BW LPG, which has the worldâs largest fleet of VLGC vessels.BW LPG ordered the first four of these 15 systems in 2018, immediately following Wärtsiläâs full-scale testing of a full-sized two-stroke marine engine operating with LPG fuel. This was the worldâs first such testing protocol, and the performance attained was seen as exceeding expectations.
BW LPG Agrees to Sell 2006-built VLGC BW Trader
BW LPG said Thursday it had agreed to sell the 2006-built Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) BW Trader to an undisclosed buyer. The VLGC has a carrying capacity of 78,631 CBM. "The sale and delivery of the vessel to its new owner for further trading is expected to be completed by March 2022 and when completed, is expected to generate approximately $20 million in liquidity and a netbook gain of approximately $2 million," Oslo-listed BW LPG said. Anders Onarheim, CEO of BW LPG said: "This sale is in line with our strategy of seeking to optimize our assets through the cycles and gives further strength to our balance sheet and liquidity position.âWith this sale, BW LPG owns and operates a fleet of 39 modern VLGCs.
BW LPG Sells Very Large Gas Carrier for 'Attractive' Price
Singapore-based gas carrier operator BW LPG has sold Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) BW Empress.BW Empress was built in 2005 and has a carrying capacity of 77,330 CBM. "The sale has generated approximately US$ 40 million in liquidity and an expected net book gain of approximately US$ 10 million. The sale and delivery of the vessel to its new owner for further trading was completed on 15 April 2021," the Oslo-listed company said Friday.Anders Onarheim, CEO of BW LPG, said: "BW Empress was sold for an attractive price in a volatile market.
Fuel, Propulsion, Emissions & the Decision to Scrap or Refit
When the maritime history books are written, 2020 will be viewed as a year of pivots, re-invention and new paradigms. By February 2020, concerns about marine fuelâs sulfur content quickly shifted to near-term disruptions induced by the COVID-19 pandemic. By mid-year, with demand recovering, the conversation turned to longer term questions surrounding the moves towards reduced maritime carbon emissions and alternative fuels. How will this all impact the current fleet?Perhaps the most extreme reaction to the shifting landscape is the ongoing âpivotâ of Scorpio Bulk (NYSE: SALT)âŠ
BW Opts to Outfilt Trio of VLGCs with new LPG Fuel Supply System
Oslo-listed BW LPG, the worldâs largest LPG shipping company, ordered Wärtsilä LPG Fuel Supply System (LFSS) for retrofit to three very large gas carrier (VLGC) vessels. BW LPG had previously ordered four Wärtsilä LFSSâ in 2018, and an additional eight systems in February 2020. The initial order was placed following Wärtsiläâs successful full-scale testing of the system in 2018 with a full-sized two-stroke marine engine operating on LPG fuel, which was the worldâs first such testing protocol.
BW LPG Opts for Additional LPG Retrofits
BW LPG announced it will retrofit three additional vessels to make them dual fuel capable, brining to 15 the number of its ships slated to be equipped for running on both fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).The Oslo-listed shipowner, part of the BW Group, announced in 2018 that it would initially equip four very large gas carriers (VLGC) with the novel propulsion solution. Later, two four-vessel options were confirmed with this new three-vessel option making a total ofâŠ
Worldâs First LPG-Fueled VLGC Completes Transpacific Voyage, Loads Cargo in Houston
BW LPG's BW Gemini, the worldâs first Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) to be retrofitted with LPG dual-fuel propulsion, completed loading at Enterprise Terminal in Houston Monday. BW LPG, part of BW Group, said Monday that the VLGC had completed its "historic" crossing of the Pacific Ocean on LPG propulsion on December 5."BW Gemini is carrying a record load of 49,000 metric tons of LPG on a single keel. As the vessel refueled while loading and no additional bunkering was needed, she has proceeded on her voyage.
BW LPG Sells Two Gas Carriers
BW LPG has entered into memorandums of agreement (MOA) to sell two very large gas carriers (VLGC) BW Confidence and BW Cedar, the Singapore-based shipowner announced Monday.BW Confidence was built in 2006 and has a carrying capacity of 83,270 cubic meters. The sale is expected to generate approximately $36 million in liquidity and an expected net book gain of approximately $4 million. The sale and delivery of the vessel to its new owner is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2021.BW Cedar was built in 2007 and has a carrying capacity of 82,260 cubic meters. The sale is expected to generate a net book gain of approximately $3 million.
Petredec Orders Three VLGCs from Jiangnan Shipyard
Singapore-based shipowner Petredec Holdings (Eastern) PTE Ltd announced earlier this month that it has signed a contract for the construction of up to six 93,000-cubic-meter-capacity liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers with dual fuel LPG propulsion at Jiangnan Shipyard (Group) Co. Ltd. The initial firm three vessels will deliver in January, March and May 2023, and the optional vessels would be handed over within the second and third quarters of 2023.Jiangnan have designed the new Panda Class vessels with patented âBrilliance Technologyâ to improve hull efficiency and lower consumptionâŠ
World's First LPG-fueled Gas Carrier Completes Sea Trials
The world's first very large gas carrier (VLGC) to run on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel propulsion technology has completed sea trials, shipowner BW LPG announced Wednesday.BW Gemini and its newly retrofitted LPG propulsion technology were tested to their safe limits by an expert team from engine manufacturer MAN Energy Solutions, BW LPGâs Newbuilding & Projects and Technical departments, and classification society DNV-GL, who awarded the required classification certificate to following satisfactory performance.
World First: Retrofitted VLGC Runs on LPG
BW LPG said the week-long sea and gas trials have kicked off for very large gas carrier (VLGC) BW Gemini, which has been retrofitted with pioneering liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel propulsion technology. The shipowner said the 2015-built BW Gemini achieved "a historic milestone" as the worldâs first VLGC to be fueled by LPG, after its main engine was retrofitted from a MAN B&W 6G60ME-C9.2 type to a MAN B&W 6G60ME- LGIP dual-fuel type capable of operating on both LPG and traditional fuel oil."The retrofitting process at Yiu Lian Dockyard in ShenzhenâŠ
BW LPG Nets $4 Mln Gain on Berge Summit Sale
Singapore-based shipowner BW LPG announced Wednesday it has concluded the sale and delivery of the 78,489 cbm capacity liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier Berge Summit to an unnamed buyer for continued trading.The sale is expected to generate approximately $9 million in liquidity and an expected net book gain of $4 million, BW LPG said.BW LPG acquired the 1990-built vessel for $8 million in 2015, and for the last five years it has been used as LPG floating storage for Vitol's gas-to-power project in the U.S.
DNV GL, Alpha Ori Ink Digitalization MOU
DNV GL and Alpha Ori Technologies (AOT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in which they agree to work together to contribute to the marine industryâs ongoing digital transformation. The MOU will also see the companies work together to unlock the benefits of new digital technologies and methods, including sharing data collaboratively, and the creation of frameworks and standards, to develop new and enhance existing products and services.The MOU is based around the installation of Alpha Oriâs SMARTShip systems on BW LPG vesselsâŠ
BW LPG Retrofits 12 VLGCs
World's largest gas shipping company BW LPG has exercised another option for the delivery and retrofitting of a further four dual-fuel LPG propulsion engines, committing to retrofit 12 of its VLGCs with LPG propulsion technology.The delivery and retrofitting of these 12 dual-fuel engines into BW LPGâs fleet will start as planned in 2020 and will be completed in the second half of 2021.The latest announcement follows BW LPG announcing back in August 2018 its initiative to deliver and retrofit four LPG dual-fuel engines in its VLGCs, and the exercising of an option on 10 February 2020 for an additional four dual-fuel engines.Anders Onarheim, BW LPG CEO said: âThe Board and Management at BW LPG continue to emphasize a deep corporate commitment to sustainable development.
Wärtsilä's LFSS Undergoes Engine Testing
Wärtsiläâs liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) Fuel Supply System (LFSS) has completed full scale testing with a full sized two-stroke marine engine burning LPG as fuel. This was the worldâs first such testing protocol, according to Wärtsilä.It was initially decided to retrofit the Wärtsilä LFSS to four very large gas carrier (VLGC) vessels owned by Oslo-listed BW LPG. However, following the tests, in which the performance exceeded expectations, BW LPG decided to exercise their option to retrofit an additional four vessels, making a total of eight ships to benefit from this technology.
BW Lines Up Four More LPG Conversions
Singapore-based ship owner BW LPG said it exercised an option for the delivery of four additional liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) dual-fuel engines. With this, BW LPG has committed to retrofit eight vessels with pioneering propulsion technology.In August 2018, BW LPG announced its plans four very large gas carriers (VLGCs) in its fleet with LPG dual-fuel engines â a world's first.The ship owner, together with classification society DNV GL, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions and MAN Energy SolutionsâŠ
BW LPG's CEO Martin Ackermann Resigns
BW LPG Limited, owner and operator of LPG vessels, said that Martin Ackermann has decided to step down as CEO at the end of this year for family reasons, after five years leading the company from Singapore.Anders Onarheim, a non-executive director of BW LPG since 2013 and former Managing Director of Carnegie, will act as interim CEO of BW LPG.Martin Ackermann, CEO of BW LPG, said: âIt has been a privilege to lead BW LPG through some challenging years and to see it continue as a strong platform for the futureâ.Andreas Sohmen-Pao, BW LPG Chairman, said: âOn behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank Martin for his contributions over the past five yearsâŠ