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MarineNews earlier this year, “The Rule of thumb today: LNG equipment is about double the price of non-LNG components. We’re talking about the equipment. Whoever moves fi rst takes the most risk because they are going to spend a lot of money and then the prices are going to drop. You don’t want to be fi rst and get it wrong.” Jensen went forward with its LNG pioneering efforts for several reasons. Sperling says, “It was a big risk – for a naval architect, time is money and we spent a lot of R&D time on this. In this case, we felt the risk was low enough because we think it’s real enough that someone will eventu- ally pay for it and that’s exactly what has happened.” In- deed, LNG ships being built, and when they are delivered, something will need to be in the water to serve them. Becker Marine Systems: LNG Hybrid Technology for Barges Environmentally-friendly innovations are the future of shipping. Nowhere is that more apparent than with Becker Marine Systems’ new LNG Hybrid Barge, that acts like a fl oating power plant, supplying low-emission energy to cruise ships. It’s also a new twist on the practice of “cold ironing” in port. Ports considering the installation of fi xed ship-to-shore power connections will no doubt be taking a hard look at a concept that allows for a portable solution. According to Becker, the LNG Hybrid Barge is being eagerly awaited at the Port of Hamburg. Launched in early September, the barge is expected in Hamburg in mid-Oc- tober. With a length of 76.7m, a breadth of 11.4 m and draught of approx. 1.7 m, the vessel will eventually, for the fi rst time, deliver energy to a cruise ship as part of a joint project with AIDA Cruises. Delivered only two years after the start of the project, the LNG Hybrid Barge is equipped with fi ve generators with an overall output of 7.5 MW (50/60 Hz). These generators will be the fi rst marine classifi ed LNG Caterpillar engines to be delivered to cus- tomers. www.LNG-Hybrid.com. LNG & Barges: here to stay No matter what a particular LNG/barge concept is dreamed up for, the advantage of a mobile source of bun- kers and power has to be an attractive lure for both marine operators and ports clamoring for cleaner air. In North America alone, at least eight LNG and/or dual fuel vessels are either on the drawing boards, under construction or, as in the case of Harvey Gulf’s industry-leading entries on the Gulf Coast, already in the water. That means a ready and regular, dependable supply of LNG has to be made available. In the absence of shore-based bunker facilities, barges will be among the early solutions sought by stake- holders. While barges as LNG bunker vehicles may be the most obvious application, it is also true that unique entries such as Becker Marine’s mobile power source for in port “plug-ins” will fi nd utility in other markets. As LNG moves forward on the waterfront, however, the one certainty all can count on is that barges will be part of the solution. Fortunately, there is no shortage of innovative ideas to make this happen. INNOVATIVE BOATS Bureau Veritas unique LNG bunkering vessel. An early, preliminary rendering of the Jensen-designed LNG bunker barge. 48 MN October 2014 MN Oct14 Layout 32-49.indd 48 9/18/2014 3:48:42 PM
