Lloyd's Register awards AiP to Vard’s methanol-ready vessels

Classification society Lloyd’s Register has awarded Norwegian ship maker VARD an approval in principle (AiP) for the methanol fuelling system of two methanol-ready commissioning service operation vessels (CSOVs).

PHOTO: Model of VARD'S methanol-ready CSOV. VARD

Methanol-ready means that the vessels will not be capable of running on methanol upon delivery, but they will have the option to be retrofitted for methanol propulsion in the future. This implies the vessels will likely run on fossil-based marine fuels upon delivery.

The AiP was awarded following two levels of risk analysis and adjustment of the design to enable the future use of methanol as a fuel, VARD said.

The two vessels are currently under construction, with in-built methanol-ready hybrid-propulsion systems. The CSOVs will be deployed for UK-based infrastructure support vessel operator North Star, the shipbuilder said.

“The ships have a high degree of preparation for the conversion and can be transitioned to methanol in line with the engine manufacturer's scheduled release of the conversion kit,” VARD added.

In May 2023, VARD and North Star finalised agreements for these vessels.

By Aparupa Mazumder

Please get in touch with comments or additional info to news@engine.online