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LNG Bunkering

SMW 2019: DNV GL and Keppel O&M sign LNG bunker agreement

As the first delivery in the agreement, DNV GL will issue AiP certificates for two LNG bunker vessel designs.

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Classification society DNV GL and Keppel Marine and Deepwater Technology (KMDTech), a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M), on Friday (12 April) announced they have signed a framework agreement to boost the uptake of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as ship fuel.

The agreement covers potential newbuilding projects including LNG bunker vessels, small-scale LNG carriers and floating storage regasification units (FSRUs), as well as LNG related assets employing battery and hybrid technologies.

“The signing of this agreement signifies another milestone in the close partnership between DNV GL as the leading classification society for LNG ships and offshore assets, and Keppel Offshore & Marine, a world leader in conversion projects for Floating Storage Regasification Units (FSRU) and floating liquefied natural gas vessels (FLNGV) as well as for newbuilding of small-scale LNG carriers and LNG bunker vessels,” said Cristina Saenz de Santa Maria, DNV GL’s Regional Manager for South East Asia, Pacific and India.

Abu Bakar Mohd Nor, Managing Director of Keppel O&M for Gas and Specialised Vessels, said: “We are pleased to partner with DNV GL in developing a suite of LNG related vessels that are ready to meet the needs of the market as the adoption of LNG as ship fuel increases.”

“Working with DNV GL enables us to demonstrate the strength of our vessel designs and the viability of LNG for ship owners. We have a strong track record in delivering LNG solutions including the first FLNGV conversion as well as LNG fuelled vessels.”

As the first delivery in the agreement, DNV GL will issue Approval in Principle (AiP) certificates for two LNG bunker vessel designs from KMDTech: 
 

  • a 7,500 cbm small-scale LNG carrier with bunkering capabilities and 
  • a 7,500 cbm small-scale LNG carrier with bunkering capabilities and hybrid battery propulsion.

The LNG carriers are each designed to carry up to 7,500 cubic meters of LNG in Type C-tanks. An optimised deck arrangement for the modular LNG gas supply, filling and safety systems increases the cargo capacity and efficiency of the vessels. They are equipped with engines that can run on both diesel and LNG, and will also have a class notation for bunkering which enables the provision of LNG bunkering services if required.

In light of the upcoming IMO 2020 SOx regulations, LNG as marine fuel is viewed as one of the most viable options for deep-sea shipping. DNV GL’s Maritime Forecast to 2050, part of the research behind the DNV GL Energy Transition Outlook 2018, projects that more than 10 per cent of the world’s shipping fleet will be powered by LNG by 2030, compared to less than 0.3 per cent in 2019. The report anticipates that LNG powered vessels will make up 23 per cent of the world’s fleet by 2050.

In order to support this growth, an upgrade of LNG bunkering infrastructure is needed.

“One of the objectives of our collaboration with Keppel is to facilitate the increased supply of LNG bunkering infrastructure by being future ready through design approvals of different sizes of LNG bunker vessels, and LNG-related assets such as small-scale LNG carriers and FSRU,” said Johan Peter Tutturen, Business Director Gas Carriers in DNV GL.

The collaboration is also intended to further advance asset design by optimising machinery and systems configuration to increase fuel efficiency, using advance simulation tools such as DNV GL’s COSSMOS.

Additionally, the parties will work together to establish round table discussions involving all stakeholders in the LNG-as-fuel value chain, including gas and LNG bunker suppliers, designers, shipbuilders, shipowners and operators, in an effort to increase the uptake in demand for LNG bunkering in Singapore and beyond.

The design and engineering collaborative office will be located at KMDTech Singapore, with Keppel O&M’s yards to undertake the project execution.

Photo credit: DNV GL
Published: 12 April, 2019

 

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LNG Bunkering

Singapore: ITOPF and Britannia P&I Club conduct table-top workshop for LNG bunker spills

Both held a workshop where attendees planned a response to a spill scenario of LNG from an alternatively fuelled vessel as part of a new training exercise.

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Singapore: ITOPF and Britannia P&I Club conduct table-top workshop for LNG bunker spills

The International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) on Wednesday (7 May) said it held a table-top workshop with Britannia P&I Club in Singapore where attendees planned a response to a spill scenario of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as part of a new training exercise called HYDRO NEXUS. 

The half-day event saw team members from Britannia successfully responding to a spill of LNG bunkers from an alternatively fuelled vessel, who were assisted by the ITOPF team on how best to approach the response, taking into account the risks and hazards presented by this substance.

“The Britannia team were guided by ITOPF’s experts on the steps of an alternative fuel and HNS (Hazardous and Noxious Substances) response, including information gathering, risk assessment, appropriate PPE selection, and use of different techniques and equipment used in these spill scenarios,” it said on its website. 

“One key component of the exercise was to demonstrate the potential impacts and claims that the P&I insurers may face during an alternative fuel/HNS incident. Teams collated costs for loss of life and personal injury, clean-up and preventive measures, property damage, economic loss and environmental damage claims.”

 

Photo credit: International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
Published: 9 May, 2025

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LNG Bunkering

GNV orders four new LNG-fuelled RoPax vessels from Guangzhou Shipyard

GNC, part of MSC Group, says work will begin in 2026, with the first ship delivered within the first months of 2028 and the following ones every six months.

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GNV orders four new LNG-fuelled RoPax vessels from Guangzhou Shipyard

European shipping company Grandi Navi Veloci (GNV), part of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) Group, on Thursday (1 May) signed an order for four new LNG -powered RoPax vessels from a Chinese shipyard.

The vessels will be built by Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) in China.

This new order, combined with a previous order, will allow GNV to expand its fleet with eight new units between 2025 and 2030.

“Work will begin in 2026, with the first ship delivered within the first months of 2028 and the following ones every six months,” it said in a social media post. 

“The new units, with a capacity of 2,500 people, over 500 cabins, and 3,500 linear metres of garage space, will be the largest and most spacious in the Mediterranean by tonnage (71,300 tonnes).”

The new vessels will all be powered by LNG, ensuring a reduction in CO2 emissions of over 50% per unit compared to the previous generation. 

“This significant operation provides a strong push towards the transition to more sustainable and environmentally friendly models,” the company said.

GNV added the four newly ordered ships will represent an evolution compared to those from the previous order, which includes GNV Polaris and GNV Orion (shown in the image).

 

Photo credit: Grandi Navi Veloci
Published: 9 May, 2025

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Alternative Fuels

Peninsula and University of Gibraltar collaborate on alternative bunker fuel training

Both will establish a joint study group tasked with developing educational and training content on alternative marine fuels looking specifically at transportation, storage and supply of these fuels.

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Peninsula and University of Gibraltar collaborate on alternative bunker fuel training

Peninsula and the University of Gibraltar on Wednesday (7 May) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which will see them partner to provide expert knowledge in the alternative marine fuel training and to develop a framework to improve knowledge on this topic.

Under the MoU, Peninsula and the University will establish a joint study group tasked with developing educational and training content on alternative marine fuels, looking specifically at the transportation, storage and supply of these fuels. The partnership will include subject matter experts from Peninsula delivering some guest lectures at the University.

The ongoing transition to alternative marine fuels has revealed a significant skills gap in shipping, with research suggesting that growing industry demand for alternative fuels far outpaces the pool of seafarers who are qualified to handle these fuels.

John A. Bassadone, Founder and CEO of Peninsula, said: “In line with the industry’s commitment to decarbonise, many of our customers are looking into alternative marine fuels such as LNG and biofuels for the first time, and skills gaps can be a barrier to adoption. Simply put, the demand on the seafarer community will increase and we want to be there to help customers close the skills gap.

“Our motivation for entering into partnership with the University of Gibraltar is to support our community, customers, and indeed the wider industry, amid the transition to cleaner fuels. The University has a reputation for producing cadets who are both technically capable and industry-ready and for upskilling current seafarers and we’re proud to continue contributing to this.

“By contributing to develop a robust framework for specialised training and education, we hope this initiative will make it easier for organisations to access resources and upskill their teams, so that we’re ready to meet IMO and the industry’s long term sustainability goals.”

Aaron Lopez, Head of Maritime Academy from the University of Gibraltar, added: “Seafarers are vitally important to the world economy – working behind the scenes, they are responsible for the movement of almost all the world’s goods.

“We need to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do this important job, particularly as the fuel landscape continues to evolve.

“At the University of Gibraltar, we’re proud to be at the forefront of maritime education and training, preparing cadets to meet the demands of a changing industry. Through our partnership with Peninsula, we will gain valuable insight from a global leader in bunkering and together begin to address the skills gaps that come with the transition to cleaner fuels.”

 

Photo credit: Peninsula
Published: 9 May, 2025

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