New LNG carrier designs will use the patented Bastion B containment system, which was developed jointly by Bluesoul and Torgy LNG using Alu 5083. This material was first applied in LNG carriers last century in Japan, says an article published on Rivieram.
Built and installed
The system is of prismatic shape and free from sloshing concerns.
LNG Easy founder and chief executive He Yiyong said the advantages of using the Bastion B containment system in construction are two-fold.
Overcoming bottlenecks
“First, the tanks are built and installed independently, unlike LNG carriers with other CCS where the cargo containment (barriers and insulation) is welded/fitted sheet to sheet, piece by piece inside the tank’s hull,” he said.
“Second, Bluesoul will produce the tank on the double bottom with supporting structure, tow it to the shipyard and skid it into drydock. This way, it does not utilise yard gantry cranes for installation. Putting the advantages together, the shipbuilder will save estimated 10-11 months in construction time, overcoming bottlenecks in skilled welders, drydock, outfitting quay and crane capacity,” said Mr He.
Economy of scale
Established in Singapore in 2016, LNG Easy said the new M-Flex LNG carriers designs will focus on bigger sizes which will offer FOB buyers or DES sellers for longhaul LNG trade better economy of scale, especially from the US Gulf to China.
There are 14 LNG berths for Q-Max in China, to be joined by 23 new berths under construction. With M-Flex, the Chinese receivers will enjoy greater economy of scale compared to the typical 170,000 m3 design.
LNG commoditisation
“The ships built to these designs will be great spot traders/floaters and mother vessels for breakbulk/build-bulk operations through ship-to-ship transfer,” said Mr He.
“The vessels are capable of loading and unloading in any quantity and sail in partially loaded conditions, catering to the increasing trend of LNG commoditisation and gaining pace for LNG bunkering,” he added.
Commercial waterway
According to Mr He, these new-generation LNG carrier designs for the longhaul trade will look at concepts in the 235,000-m3 range, which is the maximum that can sail through the Calcasieu Ship Channel – the 109-km, deep-draft commercial waterway located in southwest Louisiana, from Lake Charles into the Gulf of Mexico.
Maximum economy
“The next size will be 300,000 m3 offering maximum economy of scale, mirroring Q-Max,” said Mr He.
Containment system
Shanghai-based Bluesoul Technology is a marine environmental technology provider founded in 2015, funded by Citic Capital.
Bluesoul Technology acquired Norway’s Torgy LNG in 2019 and jointly developed Bastion B LNG cargo containment system.
Design portfolio
Finland’s Deltamarin is a well-established naval architectural and marine engineering firm which has built an extensive ship design portfolio since it was established in 1990.
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Source: Rivieram
