ABS gives 1st full approval to CNG carrier

Offshore staff

HOUSTON -- ABS has approved the design of a compressed natural gas carrier vessel by Sea NG Corp. This is the first full class approval for a CNG carrier by ABS and follows a 1997 approval in principle of the scheme.

Sea NG is expected to construct three of the carriers starting later this year, each using the proprietary Coselle system for storing and transporting CNG.

These vessels will be 120 m. long with the capacity to carry 50 MMscf of gas in 16 Coselles (160 miles of pipe in total). The 16 Coselles are arranged in four stacks of four high in a fully enclosed and inerted cargo house on the weather deck. The vessels will feature dual fuel propulsion systems with bow thrusters.

9/25/06