Hamburg-based Hybrid Port Energy GmbH, a subsidiary of Becker Marine Systems GmbH & Co. KG, has awarded a contract to Shipbuilding and Machinery of Komárno (Slovakia) to build the world’s first LNG Hybrid Barge.

In summer 2012 AIDA Cruises and Becker Marine Systems teamed up on a long-term cooperation project to provide low emission electrical power to cruise ships while at port.

The barge will be fitted with 5 Generator Sets supplied by Zeppelin Power Systems totalling 7.5 MW for 50/60 Hz operating solely on LNG. These are the first marine classified LNG Caterpillar engines to be delivered to customers.

The 74 m long barge will be stationed in the Port of Hamburg, which will then be the first port in Europe able to provide cold ironing power to cruise ships.

In addition, the barge and its engines are to be outfitted to supply combined heat and power to potential customers, further improving the ecological footprint.

The LNG Hybrid Barge will be delivered by summer 2014, only two years after the initial project startup.

Press Release, December 2, 2013