On Saturday the 19th of March the LNG powered cement tanker Ireland was christened and launched at Ferus Smit Westerbroek Yard, Netherlands.
M.V. Ireland is a dedicated cement carrier built for the joint venture JT cement, in which Erik Thun AB cooperates with KG Jebsen Cement (KGJ) from Norway.
The vessel is one of the first dry cargo vessels ever with an LNG fueled propulsion system, in which a pressurised LNG tank is incorporated inside the hull.
Using LNG as maritime fuel is by far the most environmental-friendly solution available today. While sailing on LNG, the vessel will meet the most stringent emission criteria, as well as new norms that might be in place in future.
The ship is equipped with a fully automated cement loading and unloading system, based on the principle of fluidization of cement with compressed air. This system enables the cement to be pumped through a completely closed, thus dust free, piping system to shore facilities.
Source: Ferus Smit