News
22 February 2017

WLPGA Member Focus – GTT

 

WLPGA welcomes GTT as a new member in January 2017.

GTT was formed in 1994 out of the merger between Gaztransport and Technigaz. This convergence united two innovative technologies, both with lengthy experience in bulk transportation of LNG. The first Technigaz-designed LNG carrier was delivered in 1964, and the first vessel developed by Gaztransport followed in 1969.

GTT

GTT is an engineering company specialised in containment systems for the transport and storage of liquefied gases, especially Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) under cryogenic conditions. The company provides engineering, services, consultancy, training, support, maintenance and technical studies.

Working globally in partnership with the main shipyards, shipowners and EPCs, GTT operates in several sectors: LNG Carriers and Very Large Ethane Carriers (VLEC), Multi-gas carriers, Floating LNG units, Floating Storage and Regasification units, onshore storage tanks and bunkering.

GTT membrane technologies are used in over 300 LNG carriers in operation worldwide and almost 100 LNG carriers under construction.

GTT & LPG

Some of the existing vessels and some of the first LNG carriers have also been operated in the past for LPG and Ethylene trade (Annabella 35.5k m3, Ben Franklin 120k m3, Descartes 50k m3 …). On board the Shell Prelude FLNG, four tanks are dedicated to LPG condensates, featuring exactly the same technology as the six tanks dedicated to LNG. Six VLECs for Reliance have also been ordered at SHI, of which four have been delivered. This demonstrates that the membrane technology is perfectly adapted to the carriage of LPG or other cryogenic gases. However, it has been optimised for LNG.

GTT has decided to develop a new technology which fits to the specific characteristics of LPG, in order to meet the owners’ requirements”, comments Philippe Berterottière, Chairman and CEO of GTT. “Our new containment system is optimised for LPG transportation, which has a different density and a warmer temperature than LNG. Besides, it brings an innovative value proposal to the LPG shipping market” he adds.

Simpler than membrane technologies for LNG carriers, this technology is based on the state-of-the-art GTT membrane. Its safety and quality track record, with reduced cooling-down duration, low heat capacity, lower lightship weight and high resistance to collision are some of its advantages.

Hopes for the future of LPG shipping

In a low shipping rate environment, reducing the total cost of ownership is essential. This is what GTT is willing to do with an innovative value proposal: cutting construction cost for the shipyards, reducing operational cost and bringing increased safety to the shipowners.

More precisely, GTT want to fulfill to three main hopes of the shipping industry: more efficiency, more operational flexibility and greener emissions.

GTT’s technology is a light and compact solution, which enables the design of a more efficient vessel with reduced dimensions, lower fuel consumption, or the optimisation of the cargo capacity. This extra cargo can be used for the propulsion of the ship. This will afford more flexibility to switch to LPG when needed, and comply with the new environmental regulation on fuel emissions. Finally, GTT technologies can handle LNG, Ethane and LPG, which gives more flexibility to the shipowners who can maximize the utilisation rate of their vessels.

www.gtt.fr