Navigator Gas is once again turning to Everllence PrimeServ and is having two further liquefied gas tankers retrofitted for operation with ethane. Work on the “Navigator Nova” and the “Navigator Prominence” is due to begin in China in March 2027.
Both vessels are fitted with Everllence B&W 6S50ME-GI Mk8.2 engines. As part of the project, the engines are to be retrofitted with ME-GIE technology for ethane operation. The engines will then comply with IMO Tier II requirements.
The work on the vessels will be carried out by Cosco Shipping Heavy Industries at the shipyard in Nantong. Everllence PrimeServ is responsible for implementing the engine retrofit. The first retrofit is scheduled to begin in March 2027.
Navigator Gas is drawing on experience gained from a sister vessel that has already been retrofitted. The “Navigator Aurora” was converted to ethane operation by Everllence in 2018 and, according to the company, has been operating with this technology for eight years now.
“Eight years of operational experience with the ‘Navigator Aurora’ has given us great confidence in the ME-GIE solution and its benefits for our fleet,” says Kaj Pilemand, Director of Vessel Operations at Navigator Gas. The conversion of the “Navigator Nova” and the “Navigator Prominence” is therefore a logical next step. This will enable the company to build on tried-and-tested technology and practical operational experience.
According to Pilemand, Navigator Gas is pursuing two objectives: to decarbonise its existing fleet today, whilst at the same time preparing future vessels for low-carbon and, in the long term, carbon-free fuels. Retrofitting existing vessels with more efficient and flexible propulsion technology can reduce emissions in the short term and extend the service life of the existing fleet.
Everllence also sees the project as confirmation of its retrofit concept. “The fact that Navigator Gas is returning to us for two further engine retrofits is a clear endorsement of our expertise in supporting customers in their quest for greater fuel flexibility,” says Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark at Everllence.
The project also represents a strategic step towards the use of alternative fuels in the ethane tanker segment. Standardised ship designs and tried-and-tested retrofit concepts are intended to enable efficient and scalable retrofitting.
