In the weeks before Christmas 2015, Ferus Smit delivered her Nb. 423, the first LNG powered cement tanker to her owners.
The delivery was preceded by an extensive programme of trials and tests in which the proper working and safety of all systems was verified. Finally on Wednesday, 23 December 2015 MV Greenland left the harbour of Delfzijl, The Netherlands, on her first commercial voyage to Rostock, Germany, where she will receive her first cement load.
MV Greenland is a dedicated cement carrier build for the joint venture JT cement, in which Erik Thun AB cooperates with KG Jebsen Cement from Norway. The vessel is the first ever dry cargo vessel with an LNG fuelled propulsion system and LNG tanks integrated inside the hull.
"The unique design incorporates a pressurised LNG tank positioned in the foreship. While sailing on LNG, the vessel will meet the most stringent emission criteria, as well as new norms that might be in place in future for environmental sensitive areas," said Ferus Smit.
The cement cargo system consists of a fully automated cement loading and unloading system, based on fluidisation of cement by means of compressed air. The cement can be loaded and unloaded fully enclosed through pipes, thus dust-free, the company added.
