At the Nor-Shipping trade fair in Oslo, project partners ABB, OMT, GTT, Caterpillar’s Solar Turbines, CMA CGM, its subsidiary CMA Ships, and DNV GL, presented the results of phase II of the PERFECt joint industry project (JIP). Phase II of the project looked to validate the phase I results and develop the concept to a “ready to order” stage.
The PERFECt JIP examined the potential of developing an electric-driven 20,000 TEU ultra large container vessel (ULCV) with an LNG-fuelled combined cycle gas and steam turbine (COGES) electric power plant. The goals for the project were to to utilize LNG as a primary fuel for an ultra-low emissions profile, in a design with at least the same carrying capacity and efficiency as existing ULCVs.
The use of a highly efficient combined gas and electric steam turbine (COGES) system, in combination with an all-electric design, offered exceptional performance with several advantages. Propelling the ship with electrical motors enabled the power generation and propulsion systems to be placed in separate sections of the ship. And with the COGES system providing power for both propulsion and auxiliary systems, an engine room was not needed any more. So, the power plant, together with the integrated LNG tanks, could be moved below the deck house – freeing up considerable space for more container slots.
In addition to the improved overall arrangement of the vessel, a tailored hull shape and new propeller design add to the overall efficiency. The novel hull form with vertical bow is tailormade to the operational profile of the vessel, and with a high efficiency propeller in combination with a contra-rotating pod, the total propulsive efficiency is increased by around 5 per cent.