Awilco LNG Adds One More to Its Fleet

The second of the first two liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers to be ordered by Norwegian LNG transportation provider Awilco LNG has been delivered on time and on budget after concluding a successful sea trial.

 
The Wilpride, like its identical sister the Wilforce, was built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) at its shipyard near Busan, South Korea.

Both are tri-fuel diesel electric ships incorporating induction-based electric propulsion motor technology from GE’s Power Conversion business.

The Wilpride was handed over in late November, two months after the Wilforce completed a similarly incident-free sea trial.

For both vessels, GE supplied a complete system comprising of two 12.5 MVA and two 6.2 MVA generators, main and cargo switchboards, four transformers, two converters, two 11.5-megawatt motors and remote control.

GE provided its expert project management, system and equipment engineering, commissioning and assistance for sea and gas trials.

Awilco LNG now has five LNG carriers in its fleet; its first three are all steam powered.

In recent months, GE and DSME have partnered on no fewer than 14 LNG carrier projects, four of which have recently been completed (two for Awilco and two for Maran Gas). The majority of the remaining 10 carriers will be delivered during 2014.