Hamworthy has secured its first contract to supply LNG reliquefaction systems (LNG-RS) for LNG carriers employing dual-fuel diesel-electric (DFDE) propulsion plant.
Hamworthy has already had considerable success with LNG-RS orders for LNGCs with low-speed diesel propulsion engines since it won a breakthrough contract in December 2004 to supply systems for the first LNG carriers to feature this type of machinery.
The latest LNG-RS systems are due for delivery in the last six months of 2009 and will be installed on four 170,000m3 LNG carriers ordered by BG Group from Samsung Heavy Industries and scheduled for delivery in 2010. Samsung Heavy Industries also supplied Hamworthy with its first order for onboard LNG regasification plants in April last year for two 145,000m3 LNG shuttle regasification vessels.
BG Group ordered two of the 170,000m3 LNG carriers at the end of 2006, and added another two in May this year. The ABS-classed ships will use a twin-screw propulsion package supplied by Converteam, which includes two 12.7MW electric motors. The generator engines are configured to burn heavy fuel oil (HFO), marine diesel oil (MDO) and gaseous natural gas (GNG) or gas boil-off.
Joe Oatley, Chief Executive of Hamworthy plc, said: "Our entry into DFDE powered LNG vessels widens our opportunity to gain orders in the long-term growth market of LNG.”
