New York Fire Department visits Norway to learn about LNG-fueled ships
Yesterday, the quaint village of Os, outside Bergen, Norway, hosted a delegation from the world’s most famous fire department, the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). New York´s Bravest are visiting Norway to learn safety on handling gas fueled passenger ferries, a future sight on New York waters. Meeting the local fire department and celebrating Norway’s Constitution Day is on the agenda for the next two days, said in the company's press release.
The delegation of seven from NYFD, The City of New York and Staten Island Ferry, sailed on the Bjoernefjord onboard one of Fjord1’s gas-fueled ferries, the MF Bergensfjord. There was little time for sightseeing of the beautiful fjord though, as the delegation were given a thorough tour of the engine room, technological solutions, safety measures as well as bunkering procedures for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Oscar Bergheim, Production manager with the ferry company Fjord1 told the visitors, “Thirteen years’ experience in managing and bunkering LNG-powered ferries with a strong focus on risk-prevention has enabled us to avoid any LNG-gas-related accidents in our fleet.”
And the Production Manager of Fjord1 knows of what he speaks. With 12 LNG-powered passenger ships, the Norwegian ferry company is the world´s largest in environmentally friendly shipping and an internationally sought after expert in the field. Globally there are 37 LNG-fueled ships today, of which 16 are passenger ships.
Three of the visitors represent the City of New York and Staten Island Ferry. The latter transports approximately 20 million passengers per year between Staten Island and Manhattan, New York. During 2013, the company is planning to rebuild one of their conventional diesel ferries to a LNG-fueled ferry. Large shale gas discoveries in North America have contributed to the lowest price in a decade for natural gas. Additionally, new and stricter international regulations on Emission Control Areas (ECA) dictate that nitrogen oxide emissions from ships must be reduced by 80 percent starting January 1st, 2016.
“Experts are predicting a strong growth in the number of LNG-fueled ships in the years ahead,” said Susanne Rislaa Andersen, leader of the Maritime Forum Bergen Area and hostess to the American delegation. She added: “Norway is playing a central role. Few other countries have a maritime cluster of maritime fields´ expertise that are able to play together as a team like we do here in Norway. Norwegian research and technology development is essential to the increased use of LNG.”
The American delegation is also searching knowledge about the technological solutions in LNG-vessels. Rolls Royce plays a central role in the development of LNG-based maritime technology, both in Norway and abroad.
“LNG is a reliable energy source and more than 10 years’ experience has shown us how safe and predictable this fuel is in operation,” said Geir Bjoerkeli, Director of Sales and Marketing at Rolls Royce, “LNG is not harmless, but knowledge is the key to reducing the risks. Properly trained crews and good procedures ensure safety. Our American guests will learn more about this when they visit our factory tomorrow.”
The purpose of the visit is to share the unique competencies in Norwegian maritime industry and environmentally friendly shipping, and the safe handling of LNG. The timing of the visit provides the American guests with an opportunity to savor the most celebrated of all of Norway´s traditions: the Constitutional Day – or simply the National Day.