Shell will charter a series of fifteen inland waterway barges currently being built for Belgium based Plouvier Transport.
The ships' hulls are under construction at the Veka Shipyard Centromost in Poland and outfitting will be carried out at Veka Shipyard Werkendam. The barges will operate primarily on LNG.
ARA and Rhintetrack
Shell will utilise these 110 metre long barges to support its growing operations in the ARA (Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp) and Rhinetrack (Germany/Switzerland) regions. The specified requirements were for environmental compliance, reliability, fuel flexibility, low operational costs, and a proven concept.
The development of LNG as a cleaner fuel for shipping is supported by Shell, and these innovative new vessels represent an important endorsement of this support. They will also enhance the safety and efficiency performance of the company's fleet.
LNG Propulsion
For each barge, Wärtsilä will supply the propulsion system. The company's full scope of supply per barge comprises a 6-cylinder Wärtsilä 20DF dual-fuel main engine, a gearbox, an LNGPac fuel gas handling system (developed in close cooperation with Cryonorm), and a propeller with an HR nozzle. The equipment is scheduled for delivery to the yards commencing in June 2016.
Picture: The new inland waterway barges being built for Belgium based Plouvier Transport will be equipped with Wärtsilä dual-fuel engines and LNGPac fuel gas handling systems.
