Høglund: LNG bunker tanker gas systems a ‘unique challenge’

The technical operations of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessels (LNGBVs) present a “unique challenge” requiring specialist knowledge, says marine systems integration specialist Høglund Marine Solutions.

“An essential link in the growing LNG marine fuel supply chain, LNGBVs present unique challenges in terms of their automation and gas handling,” it says.

“In addition to using boil-off gas in their engines, bunkering vessels must extract vapour from receiving ships to use as fuel, which requires additional interfaces between the gas plant and the rest of the ship.

“This means that their automation and gas handling systems are particularly complex, and require tailored solutions.”

Høglund, meanwhile, notes it has provided automation systems on one in six LNGBVs, including Shell’s Cardissa and Kairos, a 7,500m3 bunker supply vessel owned by Bernhard Schulte and chartered by Hamburg-based LNG supplier Nauticor.

Nauticor, part of the Linde Group, and Klaipedos Nafta, the owner and operator of the Lithuanian LNG terminal in Klaipeda, will charter Kairos as part of a contract signed with Schulte back in September 2016.

Kairos recently finished construction in Korea at Hyundai Mipo Dockyards (HMD) shipyard, and passed its sea trials, and most recently gas trials, and has now begun its voyage to Lithuania's Port of Klaip?da where it will enter into service.

It is the first LNGBV built by HMD, and its success sets the stage for further LNGBV projects at this yard, notes Høglund.

Related: Malaysia: Petronas supplies LNG cargo to bunkering vessel
Related: Linde Group adding second LNG bunkering tanker to fleet
Related: ESL Shipping secures long-term LNG bunker supply

Photo credit: Babcock
Published: 2 November, 2018