A naming ceremony was held November 15 at Shenghui Gas & Chemical Systems in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, China, for the world’s first LNG/ LPG/Ethylene carrier “Norgas Innovation”. The multigas vessel was built according to Germanischer Lloyd (GL)’s rules for classification and construction and labelled GL’s ice class notation E. It is scheduled to be delivered to its owner Singco Gas Pte Ltd, a joint venture between I.M. Skaugen Marine Services Pte Ltd and GATX Corporation (www.gatx.com), by the end of this year or early January 2010. I.M. Skaugen Marine Services Pte Ltd is a 100% owned subsidiary of Norway-based I.M. Skaugen SE (www.skaugen.com). Flying Singaporean flag, the vessel will be operated by Norgas Carriers AS.
The innovative combined gas carrier was constructed in response to the ever rising demand for the transport of clean energy fuels amidst global concern over green house gas emissions. The ship’s hull was built by Taizhou Wuzhou Shipbuilding Industry Co., Ltd., in Zhejiang Province.
Its cargo system, built and installed by Shenghui Gas & Chemical Systems Co., Ltd, (www.zshcm.com) is capable of carrying two grades of completely segregated gases simultaneously, cooled and un-cooled, with a unique liquefaction system for LNG. The carrier measures 137 m overall in length and 19.80 m in width, with a maximum depth of 11.50 m, and a capacity of 10,000 m3.
“GL is pleased to be part of this innovative solution by contributing our expertise and know-how in technically complicated liquefied gas carriers. We see the ‘Norgas Innovation’ as a milestone for small scale LNG shipping and also a milestone for GL’s services for the liquefied gas shipping industry,” said Mr. Werner Enning, Principal Surveyor & Area Manager Greater China, at the naming ceremony. “This is another reflection of our expanded capability of doing classification and construction supervision for various types of vessels.”
I.M. Skaugen is a marine transportation service company engaged in the hassle-free transportation of petrochemical gases LPG and LNG, marine transfer of crude oil and LNG, and the design and construction of specialized high quality vessels.
GL and I.M. Skaugen have formed a long-term partnership in classification services.