LNG fuelling specialists Torgy LNG and LNG Supply BV have signed a memorandum of understanding to develop two small self-propelled LNG Bunker vessels.
The proposed vessels will feature Torgy A-type tanks and will be capable of refueling Baltic traders, cruise vessels and inland terminals. Both barges will be operated by LNG Supply’s parent company Grona Shipping.
“The barges will be of Torgy design utilizing the Torgy A-tank design. These tanks follow the ship hull and offer the most efficient solution leading to very economical operations. The barges will be seagoing, with low draft to be able to do bunkering operations in the Inland waterways system in this area,” a spokesperson for Torgy said.
The designs for the barges were developed in close cooperation with several potential customers and include specific Lanai-deck provisions and Ship-to- Ship and Ship-to-Shore bunkering possibilities. The MoU partners will provide development and procurement services for the two 635-tonne payload bunker barges.
Barges to supply ARA region and Lower Baltics
The barges will operate throughout the greater ARA region of the North Sea, ranging from Cherbourg to Cuxhaven and inland to Duisburg. The second barge will extend operations in the Lower Baltics and will be 1A ice class with an option to supply at various UK-ports is an option.
“LNG Supply is convinced that the LNG market will be a high volume, low margin environment and that LNG storage should be limited as much as possible. The Torgy type A-tank support this opinion. Some of the large capacity holders have expressed their support for this initiative,” a spokesperson for LNG Supply said.
Dutch joint stock company LNG Supply is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Grona Shipping and Holland Ship Thruster. Grona provides seaborne transport solutions and Holland Ship Thruster was one of the founders of LNGEurope and initiated the first LNG truck refueling sites in Northern Europe and the first LNG bunkering in Zeebrugge. It expects the new barges will also help promote the use of Liquefied bio Gar (LBG).
The ARA barge is well suited to facilitate the physical supply of LBG and to promote a credible development of a bio-LNG/LBG market. Currently LNG Supply bv is discussing with relevant parties the distribution of LBG.
Headquartered in Tønsberg, Norway, Torgy delivers turnkey engineering, project consultancy and installation of LNG storage and fuel systems for shipping as well as land-based industries.
