ROTTERDAM: As the demand for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as a fuel in the shipping industry is increasing, due to emissions reduction requirements scheduled to come into force in January 2015 Shell has confirmed its plans to build a specialised LNG bunker vessel.
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.
“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.
The multi-national firm said when completed, it would be delivered to LNG-fuelled vessels in Northwest Europe.
Reports 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.
It will also be sea-going and, therefore, able to bunker customers at other locations.
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.
