World's largest LNG carrier launched

British Emerald: the world’s largest LNG carrier at berth in Korea.

BP Shipping has received the British Emerald, the world's largest liquefied natural gas carrier (LNGC), the first in a series of dual-fuel diesel-electric gas ships. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, Korea, at 155,000 cubic metres she is the largest LNGC to date.

The design and construction of this vessel is more fuel efficient than comparable LNG carriers, which will result in reduced fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The dual-fuel technology allows the diesel engines to run on "boil-off" gases from the cargo tanks or on conventional diesel fuel. The vessel will burn 40 tonnes per day (tpd) less than a conventional LNGC of similar size, which would burn about 180 tpd.

Being powered by four diesel-electric engines provides an improvement in propulsion redundancy and the vessel is equipped with a bow thruster to assist in mooring operations.

The British Emerald and her sister ships have an overall length of 288m and a breadth of 44.2m.

The 23 man crew will put the vessel though an extensive commissioning programme lasting approximately 10 days prior to entering service. BP has declared that intends to trade the vessel world-wide, which will no doubt involve Middle Eastern port calls.

This vessel is the first of a fleet of four "Gem" class LNG carriers; British Diamond, British Ruby and British Sapphire will be delivered in 2008.

BP Shipping currently operates a fleet of more than 180 vessels including three 138,000 cubic metre capacity LNG ships built in 2002 and 2003; and five other LNGCs between 127,000 and 135,000 cu m.

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