Unitor Provides Fire Protection System for Malaysian LNGs

Unitor is now providing a ‘smart’ solution to onboard fire protection for three large LNG carriers operated by Malaysian International Shipping Corp (MISC), a subsidiary of Petronas. Unitor has secured the contract to retrofit Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) systems, housed in purpose-built deckhouses, to the three MISC-owned membrane-type 135,000m³ capacity LNG carriers Tenaga Satu, Tenaga Dua and Tenaga Tiga. New deckhouses were designed and purpose-built to accommodate the new DCP system. The deckhouse units for Tenaga Satu and Tenaga Dua are equipped with two DCP tanks with a total of 300kg of dry chemical powder. The tanks are linked together for increased flexibility. The powder is propelled by nitrogen gas through 10 ports on the side of the deckhouse to hose stations placed at strategic locations on both vessels decks. Two deck-mounted powder monitors are also fed by the system. This configuration gives the capacity to run all the hose stations and monitors for 45 seconds, which is the International Gas Carrier (IGC) Code requirement for LNG and LPG vessels. Any fire on deck can be reached by at least two hose stations. The third MISC LNG carrier, Tenaga Tiga, will be retrofitted with two deckhouse units, each with one powder tank. Unitor’s fire-fighting solution for MISC offers the shipowner two advantages. Firstly, it saves time at the shipyard. The deckhouse, which is approved by ABS, is hoisted onboard and hooked-up. In addition is the advantage of having only one supplier who can deliver complete solutions for the vessels fire protection requirements and afterwards provide service virtually anywhere in the world. Unitor has also previously won contracts to supply MISC’s six LNG carrier newbuilding programme at Japan’s Mitsui Shipbuilding & Engineering and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with CO2 and DCP systems, fire extinguishers, firemans’ outfits, safety equipment and gas and electric welding equipment. Unitor’s established relationship with MISC is a good example of the company’s commitment to meeting the demanding requirements from today’s shipowners.