Alfa Laval has received an order for three units of the Alfa Laval FCM LPG, the low-flashpoint fuel supply system developed in partnership with MAN Energy Solutions. By selecting the FCM LPG, owners of LPG carriers can combine their cargo handling system of choice with an LFSS built on fuel treatment expertise and proven experience with engine applications.
The LFSS order was signed in December 2020 with IMEX Co., Ltd., which builds MAN Energy Solutions licenced engines in Japan as a subsidiary company of Hitachi Zosen Corporation. The order comprises three Alfa Laval FCM LPG systems that will be installed on three Japanese LPG carriers.
Using LPG cargo as fuel is an attractive solution on such vessels, since it reduces SOx emissions to near zero and provides easy compliance with the global sulphur cap. The LFSS will be integrated in the cargo handling system with significant advantages that come from relying on an experienced fuel treatment supplier
The flexibility of the FCM LPG comes from its smart design. Essentially, the LFSS core developed by Alfa Laval and tested with MAN Energy Solutions is placed within an adaptable system framework. This makes it easy to match both the available space and the cargo handling equipment.
The three FCM LPG modules will be delivered to IMEX beginning in Q4 2021. After each engine is tested, it will be moved with the FCM LPG system to Sasaki Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. for installation.
As emission limits and climate goals cause marine fuels to diversify, Alfa Laval is supporting a wide variety of fuel choices under the Fuel Conditioning Module(FCM) concept. Alfa Laval FCM Methanol systems, for example, are now approaching 100,000 running hours. LPG is an important fuel in its own right, but it also represents an important step on the path to ammonia.