Dorian LPG Takes Delivery of Dual-Fuel VLGC/AC Areion
LPG shipping company Dorian LPG has taken delivery of its dual-fuel LPG and ammonia very large gas carrier (VLGC/AC) from a South Korean shipbuilder.
The 93,000 cubic meter (cbm) dual-fuel newbuild Areion, an LPG and ammonia VLGC/AC, was delivered by Hanwha Ocean Heavy Industries at the Okpo Shipyard in South Korea.
The vessel will begin employment under charter with the Helios LPG Pool, an entity jointly controlled by Dorian LPG and MOL Energia, with offices in Copenhagen and Singapore.
This marks the second wholly owned LPG dual-fuel vessel added to the company’s fleet. Alongside four chartered-in LPG dual-fuel ships, the addition raises the share of low-emissions alternative-fuel vessels to over 20% of the fleet.
Areion can run on LPG and fuel oil and is equipped with a hybrid scrubber. The system can operate in closed-loop mode in ports or Emission Control Areas (ECAs), where emissions and effluent must be very low or prohibited.
The vessel’s main engine also operates on LPG as fuel, reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by approximately 20%, along with sulphur oxides, particulate matter (PM), and other pollutants, according to Dorian LPG.
The VLGC is fitted with alternative marine power (AMP) equipment, allowing it to carry out all port operations exclusively with shore power in ports where cold ironing is available. It is also pre-fitted for a battery energy storage system (BESS) to support hybrid battery power management system operation.
“The addition of Areion to our fleet underscores Dorian’s commitment to the study and adoption of advanced marine technologies. The new ship will enhance Dorian’s superior emissions profile, which has been achieved by the use of hybrid scrubbers, dual-fuel LPG-engined ships, energy-saving devices, and performance optimization systems deployed collaboratively by our onboard and shore-side teams,” said John C. Hadjipateras, Dorian LPG’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
“Scrubbers and LPG dual-fuel engines offer the potential to enhance earnings by optimizing fuel choice, as does Areion’s ability to transport full cargoes of LPG and ammonia.”
Furthermore, Dorian LPG borrowed $62.9 million from Citibank NA, Hong Kong branch, to finance the final delivery payment and other fees and expenses associated with the delivery.
