Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) built a 147,000 cbm electric-powered LNG vessel and thus became the first shipbuilder to build such a vessel. The vessel’s propellers are powered by electric energy. Turbine engines use naturally gasified LNG, which is stored in the vessel’s tanks. This development is a significant enhancement in the field of economical efficiency of propulsion systems in LNG vessels.

The electric propulsion system developed by SHI, according to the shipbuilder, shows 30% higher efficiency than the conventional steam turbine-type. This solution is expected to help client companies save more than $1 million a year in fuel costs (an estimated total of $25 million per vessel in its average life of 25 years). In addition, more flexible layout of the engine room, as a result of using the electric propulsion system, facilitates optimization the ship arrangement and results in increase of the LNG-loading capacity of the vessel by approximately 9,000 cbm over the standard design. This new propulsion system is environment-friendly and results in substantial reduction of carbon oxides in the exhaust fumes.