Knutsen OAS Shipping AS chooses Converteam electric propulsion on three LNG carriers at DSME
10 September 2007
Converteam has just won a large contract at Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. Ltd. in Korea to supply electric power and propulsion systems on board three LNG carriers for Norwegian ship owner Knutsen OAS Shipping AS.
These 173,400 m³ LNG carriers will be Knutsen's first with electric propulsion. They will be fitted with Converteam's innovative solution based on induction motors and PWM type MV7000 converters.
The vessels will be of twin skeg design and will be driven by two 13.6MW – 570 rpm high torque density induction motors each fed by two dual PWM type MV7000 converters associated with an advanced digital propulsion control system. Converteam will also supply the generators and the Main and Cargo MV switchboard.
This new solution is the fruit of Converteam's extensive expertise in electric propulsion systems, electric rotating machines and power converters, and of technical advances within power electronic components such as IGBTs (Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistors). It significantly increases propulsion performance and among the main advantages, one can mention far better availability, higher efficiency and reduced operational and maintenance costs.
Earlier this year, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Aker Yards selected this same technology for two cruise liners (each 2 x 24MW at 130 rpm). This new order with induction motors and PWM type MV7000 converters confirms the technological advantages offered by Converteam's new electric propulsion solution.
Jean-Charles Duriaud, Director of the Marine Division at Converteam in France, states: "Converteam is proud and enthusiastic about working with DSME and Knutsen OAS Shipping AS on this challenging project. I am confident that the excellent relationship that has been developed between our respective companies will contribute to optimizing the project management process and to turn this contract into another success story.
"On behalf of our LNG team, I want to thank DSME and Knutsen OAS Shipping AS for awarding this order to Converteam. I can assure them that we are determined in implementing all our capabilities, from design to the commissioning stage, in order to meet their highest expectations."
The first vessel (hull no 2267) will be delivered to Knutsen OAS Shipping AS on April 15th, 2010, and the two remaining will follow suit within the same year.
