Norwegian cargo and passenger ship operator Nor Lines has ordered two LNG fuelled multi-purpose newbuildings in China.
The company said it has contracted two vessels at Tsuji Heavy Industries (Jiangsu) Co. The ships, which will each have a capacity equivalent to 200 roadtrailers, are due for delivery in October 2013 and January 2014.
The Stavanger-based company said it “may also declare options” on two additional vessels at the yard.
Nor Lines said the ships have been developed in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Marine. Aside from using LNG as fuel, the vessels will include innovations relating to their hull design, propulsion plans and power production aimed at giving them a “very high” energy efficiency.
Company chief executive Toralf Ekrheim said that compared to ordinary bunker fuel used in present vessels, the ships will achieve a more than 35 % reduction in CO2 and 90% in NOx emissions. He said SOx emission and particles will be completely eliminated.
“Nor Lines and our owner, Det Stavangerske Dampskibsselskab (DSD), see natural gas as the future fuel in shipping operation,” the company said.
But the company also made a plea. Nor Lines said that because its Environship concept included features which increased the gross tonnage of vessels this could mean the ships are liable to higher port fees.
“The authorities should preferably introduce exemption of taxes, fees and harbour dues for environmental friendly ships operated on natural gas, hence influence and stimulate to an environmental friendly fleet renewal of the short sea fleet,” the company said.
“Nor Lines’ investment in new environmental friendly vessels operated on natural gas, shows that we strongly believe in such innovative and sustainable development. We do hope the authorities will contribute likewise to reach their declared objectives.”
