Design activities and developments for small LNG carriers

Smaller classes of Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) carriers are being developed in the marine gas transport field using cylindrical or bi-lobe-type cargo tanks. The use of these tanks have prompted Tractebel Gas Engineering (TGE) to develop competitive design concepts for ships of up to 40,000m3 capacity. The design allows cargoes to be transported at pressures above ambient, which offers advantages for LNG handling in smaller parcels. Tractebel Bi-lobe cargo tanks with new type of support are offering great possibilities for economic transport of LNG and a combination of cargoes, such as Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and ethylene, on short-sea and coastal routes. TGE has also started working on LNG/ethylene/LPG carrier for Anthony Vedar Group. The design and construction will follow guidelines for a highly-efficient hull shape and propulsion plant, good seakeeping, maneuverability, and course stability, as well as efficient and flexible cargo handling, followed by excellent environment-protection features.