Cargo shipping is about to get greener with the introduction of the Isla Bella, a 3,100 TEU liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered containership.
The 764-foot long Marlin Class containership will be one of the largest dry cargo ships to be powered by LNG. The LNG-powered system has lower emissions and an increased fuel efficiency when compared to conventional diesel powered ships.
This will make them among the cleanest cargo-carrying ships available.
The double-hulled ships are 233.0 meters (764.4 feet) in length and 32.2 meters (105.6 feet) in beam, with a design draft of 10.5 meters (34.4 feet) and a target operating speed of 22.0 knots.
The ship includes a patented LNG fuel-gas system from Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) and a MAN ME-GI dual fuel slow speed engine.
The vessel is able to operate on either fuel oil or gas derived from LNG.
The Isla Bella was delivered to Totem Ocean Trailer Express (TOTE) Maritime earlier this week, one of two LNG ships contracted for TOTE.
The project demonstrates a successful collaboration between TOTE, General Dynamics NASSCO, the American Bureau of Shipping and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The industry and regulatory bodies worked together throughout the design approval and construction and in commissioning the ship to operate safely and effectively on natural gas.
"Successfully building and delivering the world's first LNG-powered containership here in the United States for coastwise service demonstrates that commercial shipbuilders and owners and operators are leading the world in the introduction of cutting-edge, green technology in support of the Jones Act," said Kevin Graney, vice president and general manager of General Dynamics NASSCO.
General Dynamics NASSCO also has an agreement with TOTE to design the conversion of two Orca-class diesel-electric containerships to LNG propulsion systems.
If this LNG containership propulsion technology proves to be as efficient and clean as General Dynamics NASSCO claims, will we see the end of diesel-powered shipping?
For more information visit General Dynamics NASSCO.