PERFECt phase II readies COGES LNG boxship for the order book

At the Nor-Shipping trade fair in Oslo today, project partners ABB, OMT, GTT, Caterpillar’s Solar Turbines, CMA CGM, its subsidiary CMA Ships, and DNV GL, presented the results of phase II of the PERFECt joint industry project (JIP). Phase II of the project looked to validate the phase I results and develop the concept to a “ready to order” stage.  

The PERFECt JIP examined the potential of developing an electric-driven 20,000 TEU ultra large container vessel (ULCV) with an LNG-fuelled combined cycle gas and steam turbine (COGES) electric power plant. The goals for the project were to to utilize LNG as a primary fuel for an ultra-low emissions profile, in a design with at least the same carrying capacity and efficiency as existing ULCVs.

“The PERFECt project has brought a new set of expert capabilities together and delivered promising results”, said Gerd Würsig, Business Director for LNG-fuelled ships at DNV GL – Maritime. “The impulse behind this project was the interest in seeing how a modern ultra large container ship design could benefit from clean fuel and highly efficient COGES technology. We have achieved our objectives and now have a validated design concept with enough technical detail to develop a business case.”

The use of a highly efficient combined gas and electric steam turbine (COGES) system, in combination with an all-electric design, offered exceptional performance with several advantages. Propelling the ship with electrical motors enabled the power generation and propulsion systems to be placed in separate sections of the ship. And with the COGES system providing power for both propulsion and auxiliary systems, an engine room was not needed any more. So, the power plant, together with the integrated LNG tanks, could be moved below the deck house – freeing up considerable space for more container slots.

“The COGAS electric propulsion system provides larger flexibility for arrangement of containers in combination with a high overall propulsive efficiency of the vessel,” said Thomas Eefsen, Chief Commercial Officer, OMT.

“GTT is pleased of this partnership with major technical and industrial players to develop the PERFECt project. The results show technical and economic feasibility of the project. Existing technologies can be adopted to make PERFECt II a reality,” declared Julien Bec, GTT, Vice-President of LNG as Fuel directorate.

“It is an honor to be part of the PERFECt Ship consortium. The collaboration, innovation and enthusiasm of all partners has resulted in a highly efficient ship concept that leads the way towards the next generation of ocean transport,” said Barbara Stanley, Vice President, Power Generation and Strategic Development, Solar Turbines Inc. (A Caterpillar Company). “Solar is proud to deliver technical solutions to our customers that are cost-effective and environmentally sensitive. Our SoLoNOx Dry Low Emissions (DLE) Gas Turbines, which operate on LNG, will not only exceed any current marine emission restrictions, but provide a wide margin against anticipated future restrictions. The resulting optimized power generation system is both reliable and highly efficient while being increasingly environmentally friendly.”

“ABB is proud to be part of the PERFECt ship project as it underpins our objective to provide the maritime industry with sustainable solutions. The PERFECt ship is fitted with our custom-made propulsion solutions which combines outstanding propulsion efficiency and excellent manoeuvrability, enabling safe and environmentally friendly vessel operation”, said Juha Koskela, Managing Director, ABB Marine & Ports.

“The PERFECt project impressively demonstrates how the innovative coupling of established technologies can generate new options for marine propulsion,” said Prof. Dr.-Ing. Christoph Pels Leusden, Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin.

In addition to the improved overall arrangement of the vessel, a tailored hull shape and new propeller design add to the overall efficiency. The novel hull form with vertical bow is tailormade to the operational profile of the vessel, and with a high efficiency propeller in combination with a contra-rotating pod, the total propulsive efficiency is increased by around 5 per cent.

You can read more about PERFECt II here: issuu.com/dnvgl/docs/dnv_gl_maritime_impact

DNV GL Nor-Shipping media hub: www.dnvgl.com/press17 

About ABB

ABB (www.abb.com) is a leading global technology company in power and automation that enables utility, industry, and transport & infrastructure customers to improve their performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in roughly 100 countries and employs about 135,000 people.

About GTT

GTT (Gaztransport & Technigaz) is an engineering company expert in containment systems with cryogenic membranes used to transport and store liquefied gas, in particular LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas). For over 50 years, GTT has been maintaining reliable relationships with all stakeholders of the gas industry (shipyards, ship-owners, gas companies, terminal operators, classification societies). The company designs and provides technologies which combine operational efficiency and safety, to equip LNG carriers, floating terminals, and multi-gas carriers. GTT also develops solutions dedicated to land storage and to the use of LNG as fuel for the vessel propulsion, as well as a full range of services.

GTT is listed on Euronext Paris, Compartment A (ISIN FR0011726835 Euronext Paris: GTT) and is notably included in SBF 120 and MSCI Small Cap indices. For more information, visit www.gtt.fr.

About Solar Turbines (a Caterpillar Company)

Headquartered in San Diego, California, USA, Solar Turbines Incorporated, a subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of industrial gas turbines, with more than 15,000 units and over 2 billion operating hours in over 100 countries. Products from Solar Turbines play an important role in the development of oil, natural gas and power generation projects around the world. Solar Turbines’ products include gas turbine engines (rated from 1,500-30,000 horsepower), gas compressors, and gas turbine-powered compressor sets, mechanical-drive packages and generator sets (ranging from 1-22 megawatts).

About CMA CGM and its subsidiary CMA Ships

Now headed by Rodolphe Saadé from its base in Marseille, the CMA CGM Group is present in more than 160 countries through its network of over 755 agencies, with more than 29,000 employees worldwide (4,500 in France).

With a young and diversified fleet of 445 vessels, the CMA CGM Group serves over 420 of the world's 420 commercial ports. Through more than 200 shipping lines, the company operates on every one of the world's seas. Its global presence and efficient ships like the CMA CGM BOUGAINVILLE enabled the CMA CGM Group to transport a volume of 15.6 million TEUs last year.

There are 2,300 staff members working at the Group's head office, the CMA CGM Tower in Marseille. It is a building worthy of a major player in the French economy. The Group has 6,300 French customers and CMA CGM is the largest private employer in Marseille, the city where the company was founded in 1978.

About OMT

Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) is a ship design and consultancy company, building on the heritage and design experience of the former Odense Steel Shipyard in Denmark. Key focus areas for OMT are design of cost-effective and fuel-efficient ships. The product range includes container ships, bulk carriers, gas tankers, offshore supply vessels, tugs and navy ships. Another key focus area is retrofitting of existing vessels to improve fuel efficiency and ensure compliance with new regulations. OMT has around 150 employees with offices in Denmark, China, India and Canada.