Lloyd’s Register (LR) has awarded Approval in Principle (AiP) to CSSC Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry and China Ship Design & Research Centre (CSDC) for its 110,000 dwt methanol-fuelled Aframax oil tanker design, developed as part of a joint project.
As part of the joint development Qingdao Beihai used its extensive shipbuilding experience, whilst CSDC utilised its experience in vessel design. During the project, LR acted as a trusted adviser throughout, offering advice and assurance as part of a thorough approval process.
Measuring 250m in length, the vessel is considered to mark a step forward for methanol-ready design and will be equipped with an MAN ES two stroke dual-fuel engine with methanol capability. Methanol is a clean-burning liquid that can be produced from renewables. It is said to be an excellent alternative marine fuel due to its potential to significantly cut GHG emissions and at the same time NOx, SOx and particulate matter emissions are very low. Furthermore, operational safety and flexibility are among methanol’s other benefits, as the fuel can be stored at ambient conditions.
Nikos Michas, LR Global Tanker Segment Director said: “This approval in principle represents another positive step in the maritime energy transition, as we look to low and zero-carbon fuels to help decarbonise our industry. LR is pleased to continue our strong relationship with Qingdao Beihai and CSDC with this approval, building on the work we have done as part of a joint development project to design and build a VLOC with methanol capability.”
