LNG powered future fishing vessel
DNV has launched a concept for a new generation of fishing vessels that points the way to the fishing industry of the future.
As one of the oldest industries in the world, fishing is a trade with long traditions. But it is also a business facing mounting challenges. Fishing has never been an easy profession, far out at sea, and in hazardous working conditions. Fisheries are important to the economy and well-being of communities, with about 90 million tonnes of fish currently caught each year, providing some 16% of the world’s total protein.
But these resources are limited, and global catches are no longer increasing despite an increase in demand. Human consumption of fish grew from 25 to 85 million tonnes between 1960 and 2008, but global capture has not increased since the turn of the century.
Fishing remains one of the world’s most dangerous trades in terms of lives lost each year. It can be a stormy business in economic terms too, with rapid changes in fuel prices, fish prices, fish stocks and quotas. Despite many countries’ considerable efforts in responsible fisheries management, accusations of harming mammals and illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing remain. The issue of climate change complicates the picture further.
Concept vessel
Against this backdrop, DNV has taken a technological approach to address the key challenges.
Against this backdrop, DNV has taken a technological approach to address the key challenges.
“Catchy is our concept for the fishing vessel of the future,” says DNV’s project manager Martin Davies. “It answers challenges relating to flexibility of operation, energy efficiency, improved working conditions and safety.”
Catchy is designed primarily for fishing with purse seine and pelagic trawling. To take advantage of available time between fishing seasons, it is also secondarily designed for a range of other applications that require a stable and flexible deck area.
“Catchy’s primary gear is adaptable to a wide range of other uses, such as ROV (remotely operated vehicle) operations, offshore wind farm support and oil spill recovery,” says Mr Davies. Other tasks that the vessel could perform include marine research, waste collection and disaster support – offering owners the opportunity for flexible operational utilisation and good returns.
Cleaner fuel for fishing
In spite of having many advantages, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is not very widely used in the fishing industry. There is scepticism relating to bunkering opportunities as well as the space required for installation. However, LNG reduces emissions to air and expenditure on fuel, and complies with all known future regulations for NOx and SOx emissions without the need for exhaust gas treatment. It will also contribute to reducing the CO2 footprint from fisheries.
In spite of having many advantages, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is not very widely used in the fishing industry. There is scepticism relating to bunkering opportunities as well as the space required for installation. However, LNG reduces emissions to air and expenditure on fuel, and complies with all known future regulations for NOx and SOx emissions without the need for exhaust gas treatment. It will also contribute to reducing the CO2 footprint from fisheries.
“Our concept vessel utilises a prismatic aluminium double barrier tank from Aker Solutions to store the LNG, allowing LNG fuel to be bunkered for two weeks’ operation. The tank is expected to be ready for use by 2015, and by then we expect more advanced LNG bunkering infrastructure
to be in place as well,” says Mr Davies.
to be in place as well,” says Mr Davies.
In addition to this, the safety and comfort to those onboard has been one of the most important aspects of the fishing vessel design, according to Mr Davies.
Text: Arnstein Eknes and Eva Halvorsen
Source : www.dnv.com
