First LNG-powered Ship in Port of Hamburg

Port of Hamburg, Germany, welcomes its first LNG-fuelled ship, the Norwegian Coast Guard's 'KV Barentshav'

Instead of diesel fuel the KV BARENTSHAV is powered in normal conditions by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and came to Port of Hamburg for the “LNG – the Norwegian Experience” conference of experts organized in Hamburg by the German-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce along with Innovation Norway and the classification society DNV Germany.

Propulsion of the KV BARENTSHAV is through a propeller, driven mechanically either via the main engine or a gas-fuelled electric motor.

Two engine-rooms and tanks are used, one for diesel propulsion and one for gas operation using LNG.

The four gas-fuelled engines producing power for the electric motor start and stop automatically, depending on the power requirement.

The diesel engine only comes into use for towing assignments and special runs at high speeds of up to 20 knots.

The 93.0 metres long and 16.6 metres breadth ship displaces 4000 tons (grt) and with a bollard pull of 100 tons is capable of holding steady a 150,000-ton tanker during a storm.

LNG plays an important part in eco-friendly shipping operations, as natural gas propulsion reduces the quantity of nitrous gases by almost 90 percent in comparison with diesel fuel and of carbon dioxide by up to 20 percent. Sulphur dioxide and dust particle emissions become almost non-existent. In addition, engine wear and hence operating costs are reduced.