ABS joins forces introducing space technology to shipping

ABS, OceanFinance and Scorpius Space Launch Company (SSLC) are joining forces on the SPACE TECH4SEA project to adapt composite technologies developed for the space industry to LNG shipping, the society says.

The project, attracting more than €1m grant funding from the European Commission, aims to apply composite technology, which is lighter and more cost-effective, as a competitive alternative in LNG as marine fuel designs, principally for short sea shipping.

“ABS remains at the forefront of LNG innovation by partnering with ground-breaking companies all over the world. Existing LNG tank technology can make adoption of the fuel prohibitively expensive. This composite technology has proven itself in other industries; we are committed to learning how to safely apply those lessons to benefit the maritime industries,” said ABS Vice President for Global Gas Solutions, Patrick Janssens.

The three-year SPACE TECH4SEA development project will adapt SSLC’S PRESSURMAXX composite tanks for marine applications based on its current use in a range of industries and more than 200 clients including NASA. Composite carbon fiber technology allows development of ultralight compact tanks, making LNG as fuel feasible for a broader range of marine vessels.

“This technology is a game-changer product that will unlock latent demand for LNG as marine fuel. The benefit of leveraging this US space technology, to improve the environment in European Sea basins, is obvious. We expect introduction of this innovative product will enable sales of more than 2,000 tanks in the next 10 years,” said Managing Director, OceanFinance, Dr. Panayotis Zacharioudakis.

“Composite technology can make LNG a compelling choice for ship owners. The size and weight of existing technology reduces capacity and increases the need for additional horsepower. Composite tanks will remove these issues, offering significant improvement in vessels’ OPEX and CAPEX, making LNG as a marine fuel viable for a wide range of marine applications,” said SSLC President and CEO Markus Rufer.

The joint team’s goal is creating tanks which will attract new buildings and LNG as a marine fuel retrofits by cutting costs, reducing weight and increasing vessels’ cargo capacity.  The technology, which offers weight savings up to 80 percent over existing equivalent LNG tank designs and is not affected by corrosion, also introduces space technology safety standards to marine operations.

While the tanks are currently made by hand, the project aims to adopt a highly automated production line to ensure a competitive pricing level.

Engineers from ABS’ Global Ship Systems Center in Greece will provide the rules, regulations and standards under which the composite tank technology can be approved for marine applications, reviewing the designs submitted by SSLC.

About ABS
ABS, a leading global provider of classification and technical advisory services to the marine and offshore industries, is committed to setting standards for safety and excellence in design and construction. Focused on safe and practical application of advanced technologies and digital solutions, ABS works with industry and clients to develop accurate and cost-effective compliance, optimized performance and operational efficiency for marine and offshore assets.

About OceanFinance
We are a boutique business development and advisory consulting firm aiming to expand the maritime industry frontiers by exploiting the available and by developing new state-of-the-art methodologies ensuring industry’s environmental compliance, sustainability, and profitability.

By capitalizing on market knowledge and expertise, we guide ship-owners, port operators, shipyards and freight traders, shipping finance and banking institutions, energy supply chain and fuel suppliers to make successful decisions on shipping and energy investments.

About Scorpius Space Launch Company
Scorpius Space Launch Company (SSLC) is a commercial aerospace systems and components manufacturer with advanced technologies for propulsion systems, incorporated in 1999 and headquartered in Torrance, California. The company’s patented all-composite pressurized structures are recognized throughout the aerospace industry. SSLC is a qualified supplier to aerospace and defense companies and has consistently attained supplier performance ratings at the highest level.