Friday, August 21, 2015

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TOTE converts large RO/RO ship to LNG



Totem Ocean Trailer Express has signed a contract with Keppel Shipyard to convert the Midnight Sun to dual-fuel liquefied natural gas propulsion. This is the world’s first major conversion of a large RO/RO vessel to LNG, according to a TOTE statement.

The work will begin in December and should be finished in 90 days.

Once complete, the Midnight Sun will reduce its emission of particulate matter by 91 percent, NOx by 100 percent, SOx by 90 percent and carbon dioxide by 35 percent. Sister ship North Star will be converted in 2016/2017, TOTE said.

"Totem Ocean is excited to partner with Keppel for the conversion of the Midnight Sun, enabling her to operate on natural gas" stated John Parrott, president of Totem Ocean. "The removal and replacement of the four engines, adding 2,200 cubic meters of LNG capacity along with the addition of 47 kilometers of new cabling is a complex undertaking, and we are confident that Keppel will provide safe, timely, high-quality work to ensure the best outcome for Totem Ocean and our customers."

Puget Sound Energy, in partnership with Totem

Photo credit: Ken Graham

Ocean and the Port of Tacoma, has plans to construct an LNG liquefaction terminal at the port that will serve Totem Ocean, residents of Puget Sound and the broader transportation industry in the Pacific Northwest. This facility is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2018.

Totem Ocean said it is part of the TOTE and Saltchuk organization that is leading the maritime industry into LNG with the introduction of the world’s first LNG powered containership into the Puerto Rico trade later this year.


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