SANMAR to build world’s first LNG tugs for Buksér og Berging AS, Norway

SANMAR to build world’s first LNG tugs for Buksér og Berging AS, Norway

Sanmar proudly announces the new built contract to deliver the world’s first Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) powered escort tugs. The two vessels will be constructed at Sanmar’s new yard in Tuzla Bay, İstanbul. The vessels have been ordered by Buksér og Berging AS of Norway and will enter service in late 2013. BB has signed a long term charter with Statoil ASA, the international energy company, and Gassco, the operator of the gas transportation network off the Norwegian coast.

Cem Seven, Sanmar, Managing Director and partner said “We are very proud that BB has choosen a Turkish yard for construction of these highly sophisticated techology tugboats. As Sanmar, we have been in tugboat construction and operation business for 38 years. Sanmar has ceaselessly been creating value since its date of incorporation with the excitement on the very first day, with its product and service quality, its competitive power in the world markets, and with the size of its export figures. We are very excited about constructing these two state of the art technology tugboats and believe we will meet all the expectations.”
The LNG system is designed by AGA Cryo and integrated with the Rolls-Royce propulsion system. This single tank LNG system has got full gas redundancy i.e. no diesel back up is required. The vessels will also be equipped with two Rolls Royce azimuth propellers.
The operational benefits of a gas fuelled propulsion system are a cleaner engine room, less waste oil and no “switch over” problems. Environmental benefits with S.I. gas engines incorporated in the new design is;
92% reduced NOx emission
17% reduced GHG emission
98-100% reduced SOx emission
98% reduced particulates
Compliant with Tier III regulations
Also, the new hull and propulsion system will achieve up to 20% higher thrust efficiency compared to standard designs.