RoRo and PCTC vessels operate under a distinct set of spatial constraints. They are specifically designed to carry vehicles, heavy equipment, and non‑containerised cargo across decks with varying heights and load‑profiles. With rising demand for vehicle transport—nearly 24 million vehicles per annum—the pressure on deck space is intense. A key challenge is that new lower‑carbon fuels such as LNG and eventually ammonia require larger fuel‑tank volumes for the same or longer ranges because of their lower energy density. That creates a direct trade‑off: more space used for fuel = less space available for revenue‑earning cargo. For RoRo operators, fuel‑storage design can no longer be incidental. With the introduction of the LPV (Lattice Pressure Vessel) fuel‑tank solution, there is an opportunity to optimise space and liberate deck area for high‑value cargo and greater earnings.
Why Fuel Storage Impacts Deck‑Level Profitability
In RoRo and PCTC vessels, deck space is the most premium asset. The ability to load heavy trucks, buses, construction equipment or combinations of vehicle types hinges on clear deck area, precise layout and minimal obstruction. When the fuel‑storage system consumes large volumes of hull or deck space:
- Valuable cargo slots are lost.
- Loading and unloading become more complex and less efficient.
- The economic value per voyage drops, as precious deck real‑estate is used for fuel rather than freight.
Many vessels adopting LNG or other low‑carbon fuels face this exact dilemma: to maintain range they must allocate larger tanks, but to keep their economics intact they cannot compromise cargo space. This is where conventional cylindrical or bilobe tanks become the weak link—they demand more space for the same fuel volume and consequently impose hidden cost through lost cargo earning potential.
LPV vs. Cylindrical: Optimising Every Cubic Metre
The LPV fuel‑tank solution rethinks geometry and integration. Instead of fitting a standard tank into the ship’s hull, LPV adapts to the available space, specifically tailoring the fit to minimise impact on cargo zones. Key features of LPV when compared with conventional cylindrical tanks include:
- The ability to shape the fuel tank to available hull and deck volumes, thereby reducing “dead” space around the tank and improving cargo‑slot utilisation. Lattice International
- Better volume utilisation: more fuel stored in less footprint.
- Greater flexibility in placement: under decks, between frames, even in low‑value sections rather than prime cargo decks. Lattice International
This means every cubic metre reclaimed is cargo space regained — a direct improvement in vessel earning potential.
Case Study: 600 m² Space Saved, 1 M USD Extra Revenue per Year
In a real case for a 7,600 CEU PCTC vessel, replacing the conventional cylinder LNG fuel tank with an optimised LPV design resulted in:
- 95 CEUs freed, equivalent to ~600 m² of deck space. Lattice International
- That volume accounted for ~6 % of the vessel’s day‑rate area.
- With six round‑trips annually and a day‑rate of USD 50,000, the freed space generated an additional revenue of USD 1,080,000 per year. Over a 20‑year lifetime that adds up to ~USD 21,600,000. Lattice International
This illustrates how space optimisation in fuel storage moves from technical consideration to strategic revenue driver.
Impact on High‑Value Cargo Decks
For RoRo and PCTC operators the highest‑value cargo is often vehicles, heavy equipment or high‑density loads located on lower decks. These cargo types have higher yield per square metre and are time‑sensitive in loading/unloading. By integrating LPV tanks in less‑valuable or previously unusable spaces (for example under deck structures or in irregular hull geometries), project owners can:
- Free up prime deck spaces for paying cargo.
- Maintain or even increase the number of loading lanes and stowage positions.
- Improve voyage turnaround by enabling more efficient cargo operations.
In short, the benefit is not simply non‑core space recovery — it is core space enhancement and operational uplift.
Flexible Placement – Design Freedom with LPV
One of the strongest advantages of LPV fuel tanks is the flexibility of installation. Unlike cylindrical tanks that need straightforward cylindrical volume and clear access, LPV tanks can be adapted to the ship’s geometry. This design freedom means:
- Fuel tanks can be positioned in lower‑value sections of the ship instead of sacrificing prime cargo decks.
- In retrofit scenarios existing voids and hold spaces can be used more effectively.
- In new‑builds the entire hull can be planned around the tank layout rather than designing the hull around a standard tank.
This freedom translates into smarter vessel architecture and higher earning capacity over the vessel lifetime.
Sustainability & Future‑Fuel Readiness
As global regulation and market pressure push the shipping industry toward decarbonisation, vessel operators must stay ahead. LPV tanks support this in two key ways:
- They are dual‑fuel capable and future‑fuel ready. For example, an LNG‑fuelled vessel today can be designed with an LPV tank that is ammonia‑ready or hydrogen‑ready for the future. Lattice International
- By improving fuel‑tank volume efficiency, they reduce the incremental space penalty of switching to lower‑energy‑density fuels, thus preserving cargo capacity even under evolving fuel regimes.
In essence, LPV gives RoRo and PCTC operators a pathway to both operational and environmental resilience.
Conclusion: Rethink Your Fuel Tank Strategy
In the RoRo and PCTC segment, vessel space is the premium commodity and every square metre counts. Fuel‑storage design is no longer simply a compliance or engineering issue — it is a commercial strategy. The LPV fuel‑tank solution provides a way to reclaim deck space, boost cargo capacity, increase yearly revenue and position for the future. If you are managing a RoRo or PCTC fleet, or planning new‑build or retrofit projects, it is time to rethink your fuel‑tank strategy. By making smarter design choices today, you unlock better economics tomorrow.
FAQs
Q: How much deck space can LPV tanks save compared to cylindrical tanks?
A: In one case study LPV freed ~600 m² of deck space (about 95 CEUs) on a 7,600 CEU PCTC, which translated to ~6 % of the vessel’s day‑rate area. Lattice International
Q: Are LPV tanks only for new‑build vessels?
A: No. LPV tanks can be designed for retrofit into existing vessels by tailoring the tank shape to fit available spaces and optimise layout.
Q: Does installing an LPV tank affect the vessel’s range or fuel capacity?
A: No. LPV technology focuses on shape and space efficiency; the same fuel volume and range can be maintained while using less hull space.
Q: How does LPV support fuel transition to ammonia or hydrogen?
A: LPV tanks are designed to be dual‑fuel or future‑fuel ready, meaning an LNG tank today can be converted or adapted for ammonia or hydrogen later, supporting regulatory compliance and market shifts. Lattice International
Q: What should vessel owners consider when choosing a fuel‑tank solution?
A: Key factors include: the vessel’s cargo profile and deck value; available hull or deck spaces; future fuel strategy; cost‑benefit of extra cargo slots; impact on loading/unloading operations; and regulatory/future‑fuel readiness.