"Total life assessment" for LNG carriers using a state-of-the-art hull fatigue strength analysis method -The challenge of improving life cycle value (LCV)

With changes in many national energy policies towards natural gas as a cleaner energy source, fueled by the many new gas projects being developed in recent years, an even higher demand for the marine transport of natural gas than ever before, is expected. LNG Carriers in particular, have beyond question, long been the key player in this sector. This invigorated gas market environment has also brought a shipping boom, resulting in record-high new building orders for LNG Carriers. However, there is also a clear recognition that the existing fleet should be utilized behind the design lifetime assumed at the time of the new building. A discussion cover the concept of Total Life Assessment (TLA); the state-of-the-art hull fatigue analysis program, which is a key tool in TLA; and a case example where TLA has been applied to an LNG carrier the S/S "Banshu Maru". This is an abstract of a paper presented at the 2006 GASTECH Conference (Abu Dhabi, UAE 12/4-7/2006).