Babcock LGE Secures VLAC Fuel Gas System Orders | Mariner News
Babcock LGE has secured a contract to supply cargo handling and fuel gas supply systems for three 90,000 m3 very large ammonia carriers (VLACs) being built for Thenamaris LNG. This order marks the inaugural commercial deployment of Babcock LGE’s ecoAPEX technology, signifying a notable advancement in efficiency for the burgeoning ammonia transport sector.
The ecoAPEX system is engineered to enhance reliquefaction efficiency by up to 33% and reduce overall energy consumption by approximately 25%. Such substantial operational gains, following the technology’s recent Approval in Principle from Lloyd’s Register, highlight a clear industry imperative towards more sustainable and cost-effective solutions for handling alternative fuels.
Thenamaris LNG’s selection of ecoAPEX validates the commercial readiness of advanced, high-efficiency systems for ammonia carriers. This development is set to intensify competition among suppliers of cargo handling and fuel gas supply solutions, likely accelerating innovation as shipowners increasingly prioritize both operational savings and environmental performance for their next-generation fleets.
In related developments, Babcock LGE also secured orders for six ecoSMRT LNG reliquefaction systems, each with a capacity of 1.9 tonnes per hour, for a Middle East shipowner. This broader activity underscores the company’s commitment to efficient gas handling technologies across various segments of the gas carrier market.
