CANBERRA: Norway’s DNV GL, the leading international ship classification company, has formed a joint industry project (JIP) with Australia’s Woodside, mining giants BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, Japanese shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines and China’s SDARI that aims to promote use of LNG as a marine fuel. BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto are leading exporters of Australian iron-ore to China. Australia also exports coal and other bulk minerals too. Named Green Corridor, the initiative will assess the commercial potential of LNG fuelled vessels operating between Australian and China, culminating in the creation of a next generation Capesize ship design that will undergo Approval in Principle (AiP) under the new DNV GL rules.
“As one of the largest LNG exporters in the world and with bunkering infrastructure coming online, Australia is well placed to support the bulk trade on the west coast with LNG as fuel,” said Morten Lovstad, DNV GL’s maritime business director for bulk carriers, in a statement January 25. Woodside this year is taking delivery of the first LNG-fuelled marine support vessel in the southern hemisphere. “We look forward to the findings from this joint industry project on the potential for LNG fuel use by bulk carriers,” said the company’s chief operating officer Mike Utsler.
