Posted on 04/21/2015 5:22:43 AM PDT by thackney
General Dynamics-NASSCO has launched Isla Bella, the first liquid natural gas-powered container ship that the Barrio Logan shipyard has built for the company TOTE.
The 764-foot-long vessel slid down the launch ways Saturday at NASSCO, the last major shipyard on the West Coast.
The company also is building a second vessel for TOTE under a contract that was signed in 2012.
NASSCO said in a statement that the Marlin-class container ships “will be the largest dry-cargo ships of any kind in the world powered by LNG. The vessels ... will significantly decrease emissions while increasing fuel efficiency as compared to conventionally powered ships. The LNG-powered ships will also include a ballast water treatment system, making them the greenest ships of their size anywhere in the world.”
These container ships are scheduled to operate between Jacksonville, Fla., and San Juan, Puerto Rico, according to NASSCO.
The Isla Bella also marked another milestone for the shipbuilder: It was the 100th ship that NASSCO has launched at its Barrio Logan yard.
http://www.nassco.com/news-center/news-releases/2015/041815.html
As part of a two-ship contract signed in December 2012 with TOTE, the 764-foot-long Marlin class containerships will be the largest dry cargo ships of any kind in the world powered by LNG. This ground-breaking green ship technology will dramatically decrease emissions while increasing fuel efficiency as compared to conventionally powered ships. The ships will also include a ballast water treatment system, making them the greenest ships of their size anywhere in the world.
Upon delivery in late 2015, the Jones Act-qualified ships will operate between Jacksonville, Florida, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
What is in Jacksonville that PR needs ?
I suspect Puerto Rico needs a lot of things shipped from the US. Why Jacksonville over Miami? I don’t know.
“Purpose-built for the Puerto Rico trade”
They mean something by that phrase, but I don’t know what it is.
That's thank to the hard core Leftist EPA, OSHA, and Special Interest Union efforts.
Interesting that it is not just this company.
I wondered how these stores were supplied...
Everything...... please read the article. The vessels are container ships dedicated to the Jacksonville Puerto Rico trade lane
Natural gas is available to fuel the relatively short haul voyages.
Even at current oil prices, their is cost savings with LNG marine fuel.
LNG projects gain momentum
http://www.motorship.com/news101/fuels-and-oils/lng-projects-gain-momentum2
13 Apr 2015
“Interesting that it is not just this company.”
35 year old Roll-on/Roll-off barges, towed by an Ocean-going tugboat.
Tough to beat that kind of a low expense operation with anything “Green”.
Speed is obviously not an issue for cargo on this route, either. Seven days to run to San Juan?
Interesting the owners of the RoRos think differently.
Coming Soon: Revolutionary LNG-Powered ConRo Ships for U.S. - Puerto Rico Trade
http://www.crowley.com/What-We-Do/Shipping-and-Logistics/Hidden-Webpages/Coming-Soon-Revolutionary-LNG-Powered-ConRo-Ships-for-U.S.-Puerto-Rico-Trade
There is also this little concern to deal with:
EPA is adopting revisions to the CAA engine program to include two additional tiers of NOx standards for new Category 3 marine diesel engines installed on vessels flagged or registered in the United States.
The final near-term Tier 2 standards for newly built engines will apply beginning in 2011 and will require more efficient use of current engine technologies, including engine timing, engine cooling, and advanced computer controls.
The Tier 2 standards will result in a 15 to 25 percent NOx reduction below the current Tier 1 levels.
The final long-term Tier 3 standards for newly built engines will apply beginning in 2016 and will require the use of high efficiency emission control technology such as selective catalytic reduction to achieve NOx reductions 80 percent below the current levels.
http://www.epa.gov/nonroad/marine/ci/420f09068.pdf
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.