Pavilion Charters First LNG Bunker Vessel
Pavilion Energy said February 25 it has chartered its first LNG bunker vessel to be used at the Port of Singapore.
The 12,000 m3 GTT Mark III Flex membrane LNG bunker vessel, which is the largest LNG bunker vessel set for use in the Port of Singapore to date, will be owned by Japan’s Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), the company said. MOL will be collaborating with Sinanju, a local bunker tanker operator in Singapore, to manage the vessel.
The S$3mn (US$2.2mn) grant which was awarded to Pavilion Energy under the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore’s (MPA) LNG bunker vessel co-funding grant will go into the construction of this dual-fuel vessel, it said. The vessel will be built by Sembcorp Marine at its shipyard in Singapore for delivery by early 2021. It will feature a hull with twin membrane LNG cargo tanks for more efficient boil-off gas management, and according to Pavilion, fulfills requirements as an LNG feeder and bunker tanker for both coastal and short sea trade.
“Pavilion Energy has made substantial headway that will see us supply a cleaner and more sustainable bunker fuel in the Port of Singapore. The strategic partnerships with Total and MOL reinforce our commitment to develop robust LNG bunker supply solutions in Singapore as our home base”, said Frederic H. Barnaud, CEO of Pavilion Energy.
Quah Ley Hoon, CEO of MPA, said, “As the world’s largest bunkering port, we are pleased to support the building of this LNG bunker vessel. We look forward to this collaboration catering to growing future demand for ship-to-ship LNG bunkering in the Port of Singapore.”
In June 2018, Pavilion Energy and Total agreed to co-share the utilisation of this vessel and enable LNG bunker deliveries to both Pavilion Energy’s and Total’s marine fuel customers in the Port of Singapore.
Pavilion said that LNG as a marine fuel has gained positive momentum as the global shipping industry looks to adapt to stricter emissions standards. To date, there are more than 140 LNG-powered vessels in operation with some 130 on order, it said.
“Traction in developing LNG bunkering infrastructure has consequently expanded with several leading ports having established key initiatives to support this development. Pavilion Energy is at the forefront of change for cleaner and more responsible solutions with LNG bunkering,” the company said.