Successful Launch of the LNG Hybrid Barge

Environmentally-friendly innovations are the future of shipping: Becker Marine Systems' new LNG Hybrid Barge acts like a floating power plant, supplying low-emission energy to cruise ships.

The LNG Hybrid Barge is being eagerly awaited at the Port of Hamburg. On 5th September 2014, the technical launching was celebrated in Komárno, Slovakia. “This is an important day for the shipping industry, because the LNG Hybrid Barge is a big step forward for supplying cruise ships with environmentally-friendly energy,” said Dirk Lehmann, Managing Director of Becker Marine Systems.

Starting off from her place of construction, on 12th September 2014 the LNG Hybrid Barge, with a length of 76.7 m, a breadth of 11.4 m and draught of approximately 1.7 m, will be making the 1,500 km journey up the Danube, Main and Rhine rivers north towards Hamburg. Once there, technical testing and commissioning will take place at a shipyard. Following a naming ceremony in mid-October, the LNG Hybrid Barge will, for the first time, deliver energy to a cruise ship as part of a joint project with AIDA Cruises.

Thanks to Becker Marine Systems, Hamburg will thus be the first port in Europe to provide an external, environmentally-friendly, and low-emission power supply to cruise ships. Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is a fuel that will enable the heavy fuel oil-powered generators on ships to be switched off during layovers at port. This will prevent the release of toxic emissions. Delivered only two years after the start of the project, the LNG Hybrid Barge is equipped with five generators with an overall output of 7.5 MW (50/60 Hz). These generators will be the first marine-classified LNG Caterpillar engines to be delivered to customers.

On land, an info bus from Hybrid Port Energy GmbH (the operator of the LNG Hybrid Barge and a subsidiary of Becker Marine Systems) will accompany the convoy being towed to Hamburg. The envise advertising agency will act as the press representative, providing further information and arranging on-site visits to the tow convoy (+49-40-300 92 88-0, [email protected]). Starting on 12th September, the barge’s current position on her journey can be viewed online at www.LNG-Hybrid.com.

Hamburg-based Hybrid Port Energy was founded by Becker Marine Systems with the objective of supplying environmentally-friendly maritime energy. Becker Marine Systems is the market leader for high-performance rudders and energy-saving manoeuvring technology solutions for any type of ship. Becker Marine Systems' products are well-established on the world market and represent the top choice for both super tankers as well as container ships, passenger ferries, large cruise ships and luxury yachts. (www.becker-marine-systems.com)

This article was originally published on Marine & Industrial Report newspaper Vol 36  No.5  Issue last October 31, 2014.