TMC secures ALS compressor contract for seven LNG newbuilds

13 May, 2020

TMC has developed a range of marine compressors for use in combination with air lubrication systems (ALS) to help ships further reduce fuel consumption and emissions to air. Under the contract, TMC will supply three marine ALS compressors to each of the seven LNG carriers, in total 21 compressor units. TMC will also provide its ALS control system that is integrated in a specially designed control cabinet. TMC has not disclosed the value of the contract. The equipment will be manufactured in Norway and shipped to Hyundai Heavy Industries in Korea.

Green commitment

Hans Petter Tanum, TMC’s director of sales and business development, says: “During the past 15 years, we have more or less constantly tried to identify new ways of reducing energy consumption and the environmental footprint of our compressors. Identifying new usage areas for our compressors, such as ALS, is part of our commitment to making shipping greener. Landing such a significant contract with Hyundai Heavy Industries is a fantastic seal of approval for our new range of ALS compressors.”

ALS – or air lubrication system – is a method used to reduce the resistance between the ship’s hull and seawater by using air bubbles. The air bubble distribution across the hull surface reduces the resistance working on the ship’s hull, creating energy-saving effects.

The seven LNG carriers in question will be equipped Hyundai Heavy Industries’ self-developed Hi-ALS air lubrication system. According to Hyundai Heavy Industries, its Hi-ALS system can cut fuel consumption by up to 8%.

TMC’s marine compressed air systems for ALS will be coupled with the Hi-ALS system to generate the required stream of air bubbles that passes continuously beneath the ship’s surface, thereby reducing frictional resistance between the hull and the seawater and producing the desired energy-saving effect.

www.tmc.no