Bestobell Marine, a supplier of cryogenic globe and check valves for ships, with operations in North and South America, has secured a large order for its cryogenic globe and check valves. The order is for the second LNG carrier in the Yamal series of vessels being built at DSME shipyard in South Korea. Bestobell Marine also supplied its valves to the first vessel that will be owned and operated by Russian owner, Sovcomflot. This vessel will be owned and operated by Japanese shipowner, MOL and will be used as a “test” vessel to see how the ship and on board equipment perform in Siberian winter sea conditions. There will be a total of fifteen ships built in this series for three different owners: MOL, Teekay (Canada) and Dynagas (Greece), and is currently the largest single series of LNG carriers on order.
Bestobell Marine’s cryogenic globe and check valves will be used in the cargo handling system on the vessel including the main discharge line throttling valves that control the initial flow of LNG from the cargo tanks when pumping first starts. The on deck valves will be subjected to extreme sub-zero temperatures and the valves are designed to operate in ambient temperatures as low as -54 Deg Cent. As these are cryogenic valves designed to operate down to -196 Deg Cent this is not an issue; however the build-up of ice on the valve and the actuator will create extra weight and therefore supports for the actuator and valve are required to prevent excessive loads damaging the valves.