Finnish equipment manufacturer Wärtsilä is to supply various cargo systems for a new LNG bunker barge to be chartered by Shell Western LNG.
The new vessel will have 3,000 cubic metre capacity and will be owned by LNG Shipping, a consortium between Belgium based Victrol and CFT Corporation based in France. The cargo systems will be supplied by Wärtsilä subsidiary Wärtsilä Gas Solutions.
“Undoubtedly the award of this contract was based largely on Wärtsilä’s vast experience and broad in-house know-how concerning gas systems. Our strength throughout the LNG value chain is well known, and this new bunker vessel provides yet another link to this chain,” Timo Koponen, Vice President of Flow & Gas Solutions at Wärtsilä, said.
The new vessel is one of a growing fleet of bunker barges that Shell will operate at the port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
Romanian shipyard to build vessel
Wärtsilä will supply the cargo handling system and cargo tanks for the barge, which will be built in Romania and outfitted in the Netherlands. The Finnish firm will also be responsible for installation of the cargo arrangement onboard the vessel.
“Wärtsilä is a leader in gas handling technology and we are pleased to have them as a partner in this newbuild project. Furthermore, their ability to provide the equipment on a fast-track basis is important for the delivery scheduling of this barge,” Gisele Maes Buelens of Victro, said.
Wärtsilä has developed the design of its Cargo Handling Systems based on extensive experience delivering fuel and cargo systems for LPG, LEG and LNG carriers. The available scope includes Cargo handling, Boil-off gas handling, Cargo tank design and complete tank delivery, Ship design and LNG fuel supply systems.
“There is a growing demand for small-scale transportation of LNG to end users that are located in areas where pipelines are not feasible or economically viable. Typically, such end users are power generation plants, land based industries, and suppliers of LNG as fuel for vehicles or ships,” a Wärtsilä spokesperson commented.
