Wednesday 5 August 2020

Shell renews LNG fleet with energy-efficient ships

Shell has confirmed an order for six new energy-efficient liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers.

The oil giant says the new ships will deliver a 60% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to 2004 steam turbine LNG carriers.

The 174,000 cubic metre LNG ships, which will be built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries, will use energy efficiency technologies including dual-fuel engines, boil-off management plants, air lubrication systems and shaft generators for auxiliary power.

The deployment of these systems will offer what Shell claims to be the best emissions performance in their class.

Grahaeme Henderson, Head of Shell Shipping and Maritime, said: "Shell’s ambition is to be a net zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner and highly efficient ships like these are one of the ways that we are reducing emissions in our operations.

"As we work together to develop new zero-carbon fuels at scale, we believe that LNG can play a fundamental role in providing a cleaner supply chain right now for the goods and energy that are shipped around the world every day."

The new carriers will be integrated into Shell's fleet by mid-2023.