Don't Miss


Home   >   Business   >   Industries   >   Energy   >   Shell to build special LNG bunker vessel

Shell to build special LNG bunker vessel

By on December 20, 2014

Anglo Dutch oil giant, Shell has confirmed its plans to build a specialised liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel.

The multi-national firm said when completed, it would be delivered to LNG-fuelled vessels in Northwest Europe.

Reports monitored by THISDAY indicated that the new vessel will be based at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands and will load from the new LNG break bulk terminal and jetty to be constructed by the Gas Access to Europe (Gate) terminal.

Shell’s Executive Vice President, Integrated Gas, Mr.Maarten Wetselaar said this specialised LNG bunker vessel is good news and potential customers need to know that their LNG fuel will be delivered reliably and safely.

“Shell’s investment in this vessel, as well as commitment to buy capacity at the gate terminal, underlines our confidence in LNG becoming a bigger part of the fuel mix.” he said in a statement.

It will also be sea-going and, therefore, able to bunker customers at other locations.

THISDAY had reported that demand for LNG as a fuel in the shipping industry is increasing, due to emissions reduction requirements scheduled to come into force in January 2015.

According to the firm, the new fuel will also enable the industry to comply with future regulations. The vessel itself will be pioneering in design and will be built by STX Offshore and Shipbuilding. It will have a capacity to carry 6,500 cubic metres of LNG fuel and will be highly efficient and manoeuvrable.

Featuring an innovative transfer system and sub cooler unit, it will be able to load from big or small terminals and able to bunker a wide variety of customer vessels.

Giving an insight to its new venture, Vice president of Shell Shipping and Maritime, Grahaeme Henderson stated that Shell worked closely with customers on the specifications of this exciting new bunker vessel and will use cutting-edge technology.

“I am delighted to be working with STX on this project and Shell is proud to be leading in the development of LNG fuel in shipping.” he said.

 

[ThisDay]