Liquified natural gas experts GTT and maritime engineers Technolog received a general approval for ship application (GASA) from classification company DNV GL for a concept to retrofit very large container vessels (VLCVs) with exoskeleton membrane LNG tanks. The LNG membrane tanks will  offer more efficient use of space for cargo storage and as fuel tanks.

The exoskeleton concept offered by GTT and developed in partnership with TECHNOLOG consists of a structure that can be pre-built on the dock and then installed as a complete unit in the hull of the vessel to reduce the construction time of the ship at the yard and eliminate the necessity to go into dry dock.

The solution was developed for VLCVs with a capacity of 14,000 to 18,000 TEU, and it offers a new possibility for owners to more easily refit existing vessels with an LNG fuel system. The companies say that switching to LNG as fuel helps vessels comply with incoming restrictions on the use of high-sulphur fuels.

A general approval for ship application (GASA) is a full approval of the technology under consideration, according to the DNV GL rules for classification, which examines a typical installation of the technology in a vessel.

Image: Technolog.biz