LNG Bunkering

Argus Media: Firms bet on US LNG bunkering growth

Infrastructure in US will also be key in creating a worldwide supply chain, and ‘by 2032 or so, the North American market will be the second-largest bunker market after Asia’, says Matt Jackson of Crowley.

Published

7 months ago

September 18, 2024

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Demand for LNG as a marine fuel in the US and Central America is set to grow sharply in the coming years, as the global LNG-fuelled fleet expands rapidly and with firms keen to lock in capacity as new environmental standards on maritime emissions take effect.

17 September 2024

LNG bunkering capacity and infrastructure — onshore terminals, and LNG bunkering barges and bunkering vessels (LNGBVs) — in the US and Central America has expanded rapidly in recent years. And the global LNG-fuelled fleet is projected to expand to 1,154 vessels by 2033 from around 675 presently, according to DNV's Alternative Fuels Insight platform.

The US Gulf coast and east coast are already home to several LNG bunkering facilities, utilising onshore terminals, bunkering barges and LNGBVs. Access to LNG as a marine fuel will be critical as the fleet grows, with Matt Jackson, vice-president of US firm Crowley's advanced energy division, telling Argus that North America needs up to 15-20 LNGBVs over the next 10 years to meet demand. Crowley recently launched the 12,000m³ Progress LNG bunkering barge, which uses LNG supply from the Elba Island facility and is under charter with Shell; Jackson said car carriers and containerships are expected to be the Progress' primary users.

US needed for global LNG bunker network

Infrastructure in the US will also be key in creating a worldwide supply chain, and "by 2032 or so, the North American market will be the second-largest bunker market after Asia", Jackson said.

More LNG bunkering assets will be required in the US to meet that demand, he added.

Jonathan Cook, chief executive at US firm Pilot LNG, which has two LNG bunkering projects in the region — the Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP) in Texas and the Salina Cruz LNG terminal in Mexico — has a similar view on growth in the Americas. The US is attractive as a hub because its Henry Hub spot price is typically a lot less volatile than the Dutch TTF gas hub, Cook said, providing customers with more certainty over long-term price movements. Pilot is looking to price supply from GLBP, which is being built with US firm Seapath, and from Salina Cruz against the Henry Hub, he said.

This low-cost gas, coupled with predictable fixed costs for terminal usage and barge costs, also makes additional expenditure to ensure compliance with the US Jones' Act less of a problem, he added. Crowley's Jackson has a similar view, as US gas is some of the most affordable in the world, and — despite the Jones Act — pricing stability can draw in major companies, he added.

The Central American market is key in developing a network, with more LNG-powered vessels poised to pass through the Panama Canal.

Pilot LNG's Salina Cruz terminal on Mexico's Pacific coast will supply LNG to demand hubs around Central America, including Panama, Cook said. Salina Cruz is due to be fed by Mexican gas — mostly associated gas — so the Jones Act will not be a consideration and the project will help to reduce flaring, Pilot added.

Development of the US and Central American LNG bunkering market will be key in encouraging uptake of the fuel globally, with more supply points required to support the fleet as corporations seek to decarbonise. Hurdles such as the Jones Act do impose large costs on firms, but the lower cost of gas and availability of LNG in the region mean that many firms say they believe LNG bunkering demand will grow sharply in the region.

By Eleanor Holbrook

Photo credit and source: Argus Media
Published: 18 September, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to “Verde Heraldo” through shore-to-ship bunkering at Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

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April 22, 2025

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New MOL vessel to be supplied LNG bunker fuel in Japan before voyage to Australia

Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) on Friday (18 April) said the naming and delivery ceremony for the LNG-fuelled Capesize bulker, which MOL ordered for JFE Steel Corporation, was held at the Saijo Shipyard of Imabari Shipbuilding.

The vessel was named the Verde Heraldo, which means “Green Pioneer” in Spanish, by JFE Steel President and CEO Masayuki Hirose. MOL executives including President & CEO Hashimoto were also on hand for the ceremony.

After departing from Saijo Shipyard, LNG fuel will be supplied directly to the vessel through shore-to-ship bunkering at the Senboku Terminal of Osaka Gas, and is then scheduled to sail for Australia.

The Verde Heraldo will sail under long-term transport contracts to supply raw materials for JFE Steel's mills, providing both reduced environmental impact and safe and reliable marine transport services.

About Verde Heraldo

LOA: 299.99 m
Breadth: 50.00 m
Draft: 18.436 m
Deadweight tonnage: 210,321 tonnes
Shipyards: Imabari Shipbuilding and Nihon Shipyard

Photo credit: Mitsui OSK Lines
Published: 22 April, 2025

LNG Bunkering

Ballast Nedam Infra and Hakkers Waterbouw to build sea jetty for new LNG terminal

Jetty, which will be built as part of a LNG terminal in Germany, will be equipped to receive ships up to 267,000 m³; a smaller berth will be built for LNG bunker vessels and barges.

Published

2 days ago

April 21, 2025

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Ballast Nedam Infra and Hakkers Waterbouw to build sea jetty for new LNG terminal

Netherlands-based Hakkers Waterbouw recently said it will be partnering with Ballast Nedam Infra for the construction of a large sea jetty as part of a new LNG terminal in Brunsbüttel, Germany.

The jetty will be equipped to receive ships up to 267,000 m³. In addition to the main berth, a smaller berth will also be built for LNG bunker vessels and barges. The jetty offers an unloading capacity of 14,000 m³ per hour and a loading capacity of 3,000 m³ per hour.

“The development of the LNG terminal and sea jetty fits in with the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions in Europe,” Hakkers said on its website.

“The project contributes to the European energy transition and to a safe, reliable energy supply for the future. With this collaboration, Ballast Nedam Infra and Hakkers Waterbouw are taking an important step in the realisation of sustainable infrastructure and further European collaboration.”

The order was placed on behalf of German LNG and will be executed as a subcontractor to main contractor CS Gas North. This is a collaboration between the Spanish companies Cobra and Sener.

Construction of the sea jetty will start in the summer of 2025 and is expected to be completed in early 2027.

Richard Majoor, director at Ballast Nedam Infra, said: “In combination with Hakkers and CS Gas North, we want to build a proactive and efficient collaboration.

“Ballast Nedam and Hakkers complement each other well: Ballast Nedam has extensive experience in project management for complex construction projects, while Hakkers, as a specialist in hydraulic engineering and steel construction, adds substantive value.”

Hein van Laar, commercial director at Hakkers Waterbouw, added: “As a specialist in heavy hydraulic engineering piling and steel construction, we are particularly proud to realise this project. We see that we can really add something in Germany with our expertise.”

Photo credit: Hakkers Waterbouw
Published: 21 April, 2025

Newbuilding

Chinese shipbuilder delivers CMA CGM’s Singapore-flagged LNG-powered boxship

CMA CGM welcomes “CMA CGM SEINE”, the first in a four-ship series of 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ships, by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, according to BV Marine & Offshore.

Published

6 days ago

April 17, 2025

Admin

Chinese shipbuilder delivers CMA CGM’s Singapore-flagged LNG-powered boxship

Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) on Wednesday (16 April) announced the successful delivery of CMA CGM SEINE, a new 24,000 TEU LNG dual-fuel container ship, by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (HZSY).

This milestone marked the completion of the first vessel in a four-ship series, with BV providing classification and BV Solutions Marine & Offshore (BVS) providing advisory services.

It is CMA CGM’s first LNG-powered vessel flying the Singaporean flag with a capacity of 24,000 TEU.

It was reported that CMA CGM planned to expand its fleet and vessel tonnage, adding more vessels under the Singapore Registry of Ships. To support the transition to more sustainable fuels, CMA CGM said it would register and bunker alternative fuel vessels under the Singapore flag.

Xavier Leclercq, Vice President of CMA Ships, said: “Today’s delivery of the ‘CMA CGM SEINE’ featuring LNG as fuel at such a large scale, will remain a major landmark in the shipping world and embodies the engagement of the CMA CGM group toward an ambitious decarbonisation path, leading the way to our industry.”

Mr. Xiufeng ZHANG, Vice General Manger of Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard, said: “CMA CGM SEINE, as the lead ship of the four 24,000-TEU LNG dual-fuel powered container ships ordered by CMA Ships from our company, stands as a new-generation maritime ‘Green Giant’ and ‘super cargo hauler’.”

The vessel integrates a dual-fuel propulsion system supported by GTT Mark III membrane-type LNG bunker tanks, with a total capacity of 18,600 cubic meters, designed to enhance both environmental performance and operational efficiency.

Measuring 399.9 meters in length and 61.3 meters in beam, the vessel has a carrying capacity of 23,876 TEU and is equipped with a WinGD W12X92DF-2.0 dual-fuel main engine, incorporating the Intelligent Control by Exhaust Recycling (iCER) system.

This configuration significantly reduces methane emissions and enables compliance with IMO Tier III emission standards when operating in "Diesel + iCER mode".

BV worked closely with the engine manufacturer and the shipyard to test the parent engine and issued the Engine International Air Pollution Prevention (EIAPP) certificate, establishing a foundation for compliance across the series. The iCER system optimises energy efficiency, achieving an Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) reduction well beyond the IMO’s Tier III standards.

To address the critical sloshing challenges in large-volume LNG bunker tanks, BVS performed direct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The verified pressure data was provided to the design unit for structural strength checks, ensuring the safety of the cargo containment system and hull support structure.

The vessel features advanced technologies to boost operational performance and energy efficiency. Equipped with the SmartEye intelligent monitoring system and the TotalCommand full-control system, it achieves automated precision control during berthing, significantly reducing berthing time and enhancing port operations.

Energy efficiency is further improved by applying variable frequency drive (VFD) technology to the engine room fans and seawater cooling pumps. Meanwhile, the WinGD Data Collection Monitoring (DCM) system offers real-time tracking and analysis for the dual-fuel main engine, supporting operational optimisation.

BV also supported the upgrade of BV certified boil-off gas (BOG) compressors by conducting sea trial tests and re-issuing product certificates, facilitating seamless system commissioning and vessel delivery.

Photo credit: Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore
Published: 17 April, 2025