Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) has announced the receipt of two Approvals in Principle (AiP) from Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) for its new ethane cargo containment systems, Mark III Slim and NO96 Slim.
After an examination of the documentation provided by GTT, BV has confirmed that the systems meet the relevant requirements of the IGC Code, the international code of the construction and equipment of ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore president Matthieu de Tugny said: “At BV, we are dedicated to advancing innovation and safety in the transport of liquefied gas.
“Collaborating with GTT on the development of the Mark III Slim and NO96 Slim systems allows us to support membrane technologies that extend beyond LNG, offering shipowners enhanced efficiency and compliance with rigorous industry standards.”
Building on its Mark III and NO96 membrane technologies, GTT has introduced Slim variants tailored to meet the physical characteristics of petrochemical cargoes.
These enhancements enable shipowners to maximise cargo capacity while optimising construction costs for very large ethane carriers (VLEC) and ultra large ethane carriers (ULEC).
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataBesides ethane, these new systems are designed for the transportation of LPG, ethylene, butane, propane, and propylene. This provides shipyards and shipowners with a solution that can meet the increasing demand for specialised ethane carriers, stated the company.
According to the company, an advantage with these systems is the increased tank capacity, achieved by reducing insulation thickness by 70 mm, which allows for an additional 1,000m³ of usable tank volume within the same ship size.
Furthermore, these systems are claimed to contribute to lower costs and faster construction times through simplified anchoring systems, lighter panels and caissons, and the incorporation of new steel alloys, all of which enhance fabrication efficiency and cut down shipyards time.
Commenting on the approvals, GTT chairman and CEO Philippe Berterottière said: “We are pleased to secure these Approvals in Principle from Bureau Veritas, a clear testament to GTT’s commitment to innovation and safety in liquefied gas containment.
“GTT leverages decades of expertise to deliver versatile, high-capacity solutions that precisely meet the evolving needs of the booming ethane market.”
In 2023, GTT secured €4.66m in funding from Bpifrance to design an on-board CO₂ capture system as part of the MerVent 2025 project.
