World’s first LPG-fueled ferry design using GE gas turbine completes HAZID meetings
GE’s Marine Solutions reports that the world’s first Liquid Propane Gas (LPG)-fueled ferry design to use GE’s COmbined Gas turbine Electric and Steam (COGES) system has successfully completed Hazard Identification (HAZID) meetings. The consortium of Youngsung Global, DINTEC, Korea LPG Industry Association, GE’s Marine Solutions and Far East Ship Design & Engineering Co. (FESDEC) signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding in November 2016 to cooperate on this unique ferry design, GE Aviation website said.
“Bureau Veritas, a world-leading classification society with a large and recognized expertise and experience in gas fueled ships, chaired the HAZID meetings. All consortium members were represented as well as SK Gas and E1 who are members of the Korea LPG Industry Association. These meetings took place over a three-day period in Busan and are a crucial tool used to identify hazards and safeguards at the early ship design stage,” said Brien Bolsinger, GE’s Vice President, Marine Operations, Cincinnati, Ohio. “Now with HAZID meetings successfully completed, the consortium will proceed with securing a shipbuilding contract and will seek Approval in Principle to further validate the safety of the ship design including the COGES propulsion system and the LPG fuel supply,” Bolsinger added.
Traditionally, a new ship design undergoes a series of processes from research and development to ship architecture and design, HAZID and AIP certification, and finally onto contracts with the shipyard and suppliers. Therefore, meeting HAZID requirements is considered a key milestone in ensuring the final success of the LPG COGES ferry design process.
This LPG-fueled ferry project provides an opportunity to showcase how Korean technologies advance the global marine industry. In addition, the project allows local Korean companies to participate in the full scope from designing the ferry to building major operational equipment, such as LPG tanks and fuel supply systems.
GE marine gas turbines range from 4.5 MW to 52 MW output for ship power and propulsion. These engines operate worldwide for diverse commercial marine customers on cruise ships, fast ferries, high speed luxury yachts, floating production storage and offloading ships and offshore platforms. In addition, over 1,400 GE marine gas turbines power nearly 500 military ships for 35 navies globally, logging some 14 million operating hours.
GE’s marine gas turbine business is part of GE Aviation and is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. GE is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of marine propulsion products, systems and solutions including aeroderivative gas turbines ranging from 6,000 to 70,275 shaft horsepower/4.5 to 52 megawatts. These gas turbines reliably operate the world over in some of the most arduous conditions in temperatures ranging from -40 to 120 degree F/-40 to 48 degree C.
GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of commercial, military and business and general aviation jet and turboprop engines and components as well as avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE has a global service network to support these offerings.