USS Ford (FFG 54

The US Navy’s Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, USS Ford (FFG 54), has successfully completed an operational transit using an alternative fuel blend from Everett, Washington to San Diego, California, US, further validating the algal oil blend..

The ship used 25,000 gallons of a 50/50 algae-derived, hydro-processed algal oil and petroleum F-76 blend in its LM 2500 gas turbines.

Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Navy Fuels engineering manager Richard Leung said that to minimise impact to the ship’s normal operations, no personnel or instrumentation were embarked onboard the ship for the transit and also the demonstration was not the same as a quantitative test and analysis that were done previously.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

"Each test has brought us a little closer to the upcoming Green Strike Group demonstration set for later this year."

During the first demonstration of the alternative fuel blend in an operational fleet ship, the ship burned the entire fuel blend with no changes made to the infrastructure of the ship or fuelling pier.

The ship’s engineers were given a list of fuel and engine performance system questions and parameters to provide feedback on Ford’s performance using the blend when compared to its typical fuel.

NAVSEA’s alternative fuels programme is aimed to assist Navy in increasing energy security and safeguard the environment.

"We’ve done basically every range of research vessel we could test: the experimental Riverine Command Boat; the Naval Academy’s Yard Patrol; a Landing Craft Utility, a Landing Craft Air Cushion amphibious, and Self Defense Test Ship," Leung added.

The Navy’s target is to demonstrate a Green Strike Group by 2012, and deploy a strike group composed completely of alternatively powered ships by 2016.

Image: US Navy’s USS Ford (FFG 54) has recently conducted operational transit using alternative fuel blend. Photo: PH1 T. COSGROVE.