Terntank looks at hybrid power

A TERN FOR THE BETTER

INNOVATION • THE USE OF HYBRID POWER SYSTEMS IS WELL ESTABLISHED IN THE AUTOMOTIVE SECTOR BUT NOT YET IN TANKER SHIPPING. TERNTANK IS AIMING TO CHANGE THAT

DENMARK-BASED TERNTANK has over a number of years displayed a consistent approach to innovation designed to improve the environmental footprint of its oceangoing tanker operations and has announced another step on that path with an order for two hybrid vessels from AVIC Dingheng.

The 15,000-dwt chemical/product tankers, designed by Kongsberg, will feature a hybrid battery system and are designed to use shore power when in port. Their main engines will run on LNG or liquefied biogas (LBG). They

TERNTANK HAS BEEN A PIONEER IN THE USE OF LNG

AS FUEL FOR SMALL CHEMICAL/PRODUCT TANKERS are expected to operate primarily in the Baltic and North Seas following delivery in 2021.

“Terntank strongly supports the greenhouse gas reduction targets of the maritime sector,” the company says. “The next generation LBG/ LNG-powered product tankers will give a strong lead in reaching the greenhouse gas reduction goals of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).”

Terntank notes that it was the first shipowner to order LNG-powered product/ chemical tankers, as long ago as 2013. In September this year its 2016-built Ternsund (15,000 dwt) became the first vessel to bunker LNG in a ship-to-ship transfer at the port of Södertälje, Sweden, during cargo operations. “The protection of the marine environment and maritime safety have always been of top priority for Terntank, a family owned company having its roots on the island of Donsö,” the company adds.

INITIATIVES APPRECIATED That commitment has been noticed by the shipping industry. In September this year, Terntank received the Greenports Award from Bremenports, in recognition of its fleet being the most environmentally friendly to use the ports of Bremen and Bremerhaven during 2018.

“Terntank is one step ahead of legislation and works continuously and successfully to improve the fleet’s environmental performance. This makes Terntank a role model on the road to clean shipping,” said Robert Howe, Bremenports’ CEO, presenting the award during the Sustainable Shipping conference in Bremen.

In March this year the affiliate Tärntank Ship Management received the award Global Game Changer 2019 from Biogasakademin (Biogas Academy) in Sweden for contributing to a low carbon model for shipping. Speaking at the award ceremony, Jan Rapp, founder and managing director of the Biogas Academy, said: ”Terntank and the Donsö island shipping operators are showing a leadership the world needs. The Gothenburg region is a global leader in using biomethane as fuel in road transport. By accepting higher costs in the acquisition of new, more technically advanced vessels, the local shipping operators make it possible to wuse the same fuel offshore.”

Terntank is also recognising the importance of sustainability to any ship operator, particularly those operating in the environmentally conscious Nordic countries. In August this year it appointed a sustainability coordinator/ controller in the shape of Marcus Jakobsson, who has a degree from the Gothenburg School of Business in the area of environmental economics, with a focus on sustainable business. He already has experience in working with sustainability reporting and climate compensation and has run a startup in sustainable food production. “It will be exciting to meet future challenges and opportunities that the industry is facing and continue to work for an increasingly sustainable shipping,” he says. terntank.com