Christened and launched in Holland on October 31 to eager onlookers, the 100-plus-meter Greenland cargo ship will serve the somewhat banal purpose of carrying and delivering cement for Norwegian-based KGJ Cement in a joint venture with JT Cement.
Of significantly greater interest is that Greenland will be the first dry cargo ship ever to be propelled exclusively by LNG, or liquefied natural gas. LNG is the most environmentally friendly fuel known today that will also meet the stringent, greener emissions criteria of the near future.
Greenland is equipped with an automated cement loading and offloading system, “based on the principle of fluidization of cement with compressed air.” This system allows the cement to flow through a closed, dust-free piping system when traveling to and from shore facilities.
And since watching YouTube videos of ships departing their launching ways is hypnotizing theater, make sure to check out www.ferus-smit.nl and count how many onlookers get their feet wet. As shown in the photo above, it’s quite a sight to see the behemoth slide its broadside into the canal.
