Navigator Gas orders ethane retrofits for two vessels from Everllence PrimeServ

Navigator Gas has contracted Everllence PrimeServ to retrofit the engines of two liquefied gas carriers for operation on ethane, building on the experience of an earlier conversion completed for the company in 2018.

The project covers the sister vessels Navigator Nova and Navigator Prominence, both of which are currently powered by Everllence B&W 6S50ME-GI Mk8.2 engines. Under the retrofit programme, the engines will be converted to ME-GIE (Gas Injection Ethane) units compliant with IMO Tier II requirements.

COSCO Shipping Heavy Industries (CSHI) will carry out the conversion work at its Nantong yard in China, with Everllence PrimeServ responsible for executing the engine retrofit scope.

The first conversion is scheduled to begin in March 2027 at CSHI Nantong.

Retrofit builds on eight years of ethane operation

The two conversions follow the experience gained from Navigator Aurora, which underwent the same type of engine conversion by Everllence in 2018.

Navigator Gas said the operational experience from Navigator Aurora provided the basis for extending the ME-GIE technology to two additional vessels in its fleet.

Kaj Pilemand, Director of Vessel Operations at Navigator Gas, said: “Eight years of operational experience with Navigator Aurora have given us strong confidence in the ME-GIE solution and the value it brings to our fleet. Converting Navigator Nova and Navigator Prominence is a natural next-step, allowing us to build on proven technology and real operational experience. At Navigator Gas, we believe the transition to zero-carbon shipping requires us to act on both fronts: decarbonising the fleet we have today while preparing for the fleet of tomorrow. Retrofitting existing vessels with more efficient and fuel-flexible technology enables us to reduce CO₂ emissions now, extend the relevance of our existing fleet and make meaningful progress towards our decarbonisation goals.”

He concluded: “At the same time, we are preparing our future fleet for lower- and ultimately zero-carbon fuels. This combination of action today and investment for tomorrow is an important part of our pathway towards zero-carbon shipping. We are therefore very pleased to continue our successful cooperation with Everllence and take this next step together.”

ME-GIE retrofit targets fuel flexibility

The retrofit will enable the two vessels to operate using ethane fuel through the ME-GIE engine configuration. The technology is based on Everllence’s existing ME-GI platform and is intended to provide fuel flexibility for liquefied gas carriers.

Michael Petersen, Senior Vice President and Head of PrimeServ Denmark, Everllence, said: “Navigator Gas returning to us for two additional engine upgrades is a hugely positive acknowledgement of our expertise in supporting customers’ operational desire for fuel flexibility. Our proven and experienced upgrade platform offers fuel flexibility across a wide range of vessel segments, enabling the supply of cost-effective compliant fuel in an ever-changing market for shipowners.”

Petersen added: “This project represents a strategic step toward enabling alternative-fuel operation in the ethane-carrier segment. By leveraging standardised vessel designs and proven retrofit concepts, the project aims to deliver an efficient and scalable conversion solution. It also showcases the versatility of the Everllence B&W ME-GI engine that facilitates maximum fuel-flexibility and supports shipowners’ changing operational needs.”