GTT of France said it received five AIPs for transportation of liquefied gases other than LNG.
As an outcome of the shale gas revolution in the US, there is an abundant supply of ethane. In order to use this ethane, it must be transported, consequently, interest in ethane as a cargo is on the rise, giving way to the need for dedicated vessels. The five AIPs (Approval in Principle) received from Class Societies (ABS, BV, CCS, DNV and LR) confirm that membrane technology is in a solid position among the range of containment systems, GTT said in a statement.
GTT’s existing Mark III technology is being enhanced to transport gases other than LNG, including, ethane, ethylene, propane, butane and propylene.
Membrane technology has long been a preferred choice in the LNG shipping market, and it has also been a viable solution for GTT cargo containment systems on very large ethane carriers. GTT has provided designs for sea transport of ethylene and LPGs since 1964, with carriers ranging from 1,100 cbm to 120,000 cbm (ex. Pythagore, Descartes, Annabella, Ben Franklin), according to the statement.
Press Release, September 30, 2014; Image: GTT