The world’s first supply ship fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being named Viking Energy in Bergen today, 25 April, and will start working for Statoil later this year.
It and a sister vessel – both built by Kleven Verft at Ulsteinvik in western Norway – are set to provide substantial environmental benefits.
They will emit about 400 tonnes fewer nitrogen oxides per year than comparable ships running on diesel engines. This saving corresponds to the volume released by some 40,000 cars.
Carbon dioxide emissions will also be reduced.
Owned by Norway’s Eidesvik and Møkster Shipping respectively, the two vessels have been chartered by Statoil for 10 years. The second ship is approaching completion.
The group wants to contribute to processes which make it financially advantageous to choose good environmental solutions.
In line with international agreements, the group is committed to measures which yield the biggest environmental improvement per dollar invested.
The authorities have agreed that the reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions from the ships can be used to offset volumes released from other facilities in which Statoil has an interest.