Conversion of TOTE Orca-class vessels to run on dual-fuel systems
Seaspan has already started conversion work of North Star
Following the work, the two TOTE Orca-class vessels will be able to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel. The conversion will be completed in four phases and includes the North Star and Midnight Sun vessels. Both the roll-on, roll-off vessels are 280m long and are deployed to carry cargo between Anchorage, Alaska, and Tacoma, Washington in the United States. VSL has already started work on North Star, which has completed a 60-day visit to the shipyard and has concluded the first phase of the conversion work. The vessel returned to Alaska, marking the first voyage powered by two new LNG tanks. VSL expects to complete the final transition of the vessels to LNG in three more conversion periods that are anticipated to last the next four years. Conversion of both the ships is scheduled to be complete in the first quarter of 2021. Retrofitted engines are set to enable the company to meet and exceed all new emission standards while extending the vessels’ working lives.
