FueLNG Launches Singapore's 1st LNG Bunker Vessel
FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum, June 1 announced the launch of Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel in Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China. The vessel was moved from land to water on May 28.
Construction of the 7,500-m3 LNG bunkering vessel is progressing smoothly and is on schedule to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2020, it said.
“There is a growing number of LNG-fuelled vessels in the world and FueLNG is well-positioned to seize LNG bunkering opportunities in Singapore,” Saunak Rai, general manager of FueLNG, said. “Building Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel demonstrates FueLNG’s confidence in LNG as a marine fuel. The vessel will enhance our range of services and boost our efforts to further increase the availability of LNG in the market.”
The LNG bunkering vessel will enable FueLNG to be the first in Singapore to provide regular ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services within the Singapore port, the company said. It supports initiatives implemented by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore to increase the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.
The vessel, which is able to run on both LNG and marine diesel oil, is currently being built to the proprietary MTD 7500U LNG design developed by Keppel O&M’s technology arm, Keppel Marine and Deepwater Technology for cleaner and safer bunkering activities. The vessel has a filling rate range of up to 1,000-m3 of LNG/hour.
Banner image courtesy FueLNG