ShareThis
The Space Shuttle’s days are over, so the need to produce those big orange fuel tanks that became synonymous with shuttle launchings for 30 years is also over. For years NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans produced those big orange tanks.
In March, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Lockheed Martin IS &GS-Defense President Gerry Fasano announced that Lockheed would make a $3 million capital investment at the Michoud facility to manufacture cryogenic tanks for liquefied natural gas.
The LNG tanks, which initially will be used for ship propulsion, are part of Lockheed Martin's increased emphasis on converting defense technology to commercial applications, the company said. Lockheed said the project will create 166 new direct jobs with an average salary of $42,000 a year, plus benefits.
Meanwhile, TY Offshore in Gulfport, La., is building multiple 302'x64' OSVs for Harvey Gulf International Marine that will carry duel-fuel propulsion systems of diesel and LNG. LNG is a cleaner burning fuel than diesel.
During a visit last week at TY Offshore with WorkBoat Technical Editor Bruce Buls, TY vice presidents William S. Smith III and Jim Rivers were both bullish on LNG use as a fuel for marine vessels going forward.
“I think it will progress beyond duel fuel to LNG only,” said Smith. “DNV (Det NorskeVeritas) is saying 50 percent of the (maritime) fleet will be duel fuel by 2020.”
Yet many in the industry who are not convinced. Lack of infrastructure and the danger of explosions are two of the biggest barriers to its acceptance.
“Nobody wants them to build any more LNG terminals in their towns or cities because it’s too dangerous,” said Andre Dubroc, general manager at Master Boat Builders, Bayou La Batre, Ala. “That’s a problem.”
Will LNG become the marine fuel of the future?
We'll see.
http://www.workboat.com/Blogs/The-Hocke-Net/LNG-fighting-for-legitimacy/?utm_source=NewsLinks&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=InformzNews
No comments:
Post a Comment