Yes, dual fuel engines is on the rise. The piston engine manufacturers of the world (ie MAN B&W, WärtsiläSulzer, Mitsubishi) are all very succesfull in promoting their engines. Steam turbine plant's are expensive to build and install, and of course when necessary to run on HFO, highly un-economical. Another factor that weigh's in is the limited and decling availability of qualified and certified steam engineers.
I would have loved to see a return of steam turbine propelled vessels...but it's not very likely.
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At this moment, according to the registers of IHS Fairplay, about half of the world's LNG carrier fleet is still turbine-powered, but the balance is rapidly shifting towards diesel engines / DF engines as practically all newbuilds are powered as such.
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Some years back, "all" large LNG carriers were steam turbine propelled, however in recent years (as pointed out by rd77), more and more large LNG carriers are motor-driven, and they also can use the "boil-off" from the cargo. So steam turbine propelled LNG vessels are in decline. If I could choose, I would prefer the steam turbine type. It's more silent (in the engine room), less vibrations...and I like the steam "idea" :-)
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Many modern LNG carriers are steam turbine driven, fuelled by boil-off from the cargo
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I would have loved to see a return of steam turbine propelled vessels...but it's not very likely.
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