LNG

SEA-LNG, the coalition established to demonstrate the commercial and environmental benefits of LNG and the pathway it provides for cleaner shipping, has signed up Nikkiso Clean Energy and Industrial Gases (Nikkiso CEIG) is the latest member company.

Nikkiso supplies equipment, technologies and engineering services to support the safe operation of LNG as a marine fuel.

“SEA-LNG’s membership will open up networking and collaboration opportunities for Nikkiso to support its work on cryogenic pumps and process systems as well as broader cryogenic services,” said a statement.

The group also works on heat exchanger systems and Nikkiso Turboexpander systems and has experience in boil-off-gas management for LNG fuelled vessels, methane slip mitigation, and integrated LNG fuel gas supply systems.

Wide options 

Peter Keller, Chairman of SEA-LNG, said that to achieve its cleaner shipping targets the industry would require a basket of fuels and technology options.

“Collaboration across the entire LNG value chain, with companies like Nikkiso, ensures that LNG will have a place as a key part of that basket,” added Keller.

“As an important marine fuel, LNG can deliver on decarbonisation now with immediate greenhouse-gas emissions reductions and that provides a low risk, incremental pathway for decarbonisation through bio-LNG and renewable synthetic e-LNG,” he stated in looking well into the future.

Peter Wagner, Chief Executive of the Nikkiso CEIG, said the the group aimed to encourage the shipping industry to swiftly adopt LNG as a marine fuel, because it provides a readily and immediately available low-carbon clean energy.

“The fuel also has the physical properties to facilitate a more efficient ship construction integration compared to alternative fuels,” added Wagner.

“This enables the maritime industry to lower emissions by a further 20 percent on the basis of clean energy and efficient ship designs,” he said.

Gradual process

Steve Esau, Chief Operating Officer of SEA-LNG, concluded that the carbon-neutral fuel solutions would not arrive in a “big-bang” process and instead there would be incremental decarbonisation of existing assets as fuel production, transportation, storage and bunkering infrastructure and engine technologies develop.

“We are excited to welcome another new member whose innovative technology and engineering expertise supports the cost-effective operation of LNG as a marine fuel today,” stated Esau.

SEA-LNG is a UK-registered not-for-profit collaborative industry foundation serving the needs of its member organisations and is committed to furthering the use of LNG as an important, environmentally superior maritime fuel.

It has members across the entire LNG value chain including providers of the product, users, engine and asset suppliers and class societies.

Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases Group operating under the Cryogenic Industries (USA) banner, has expanded its service and engineering capabilities into South Africa to compete for Mozambique LNG project contracts.

“Nikkiso has set up at Waterfall in the eastern KwaZulu-Natal province to provide a stronger footprint in Africa and support South Africa’s engineering hub and economic centre,” said the company.

“Local engineers and field service support will bring specific knowledge of the region and access to local markets,” Nikkiso added.

In addition to offering technical sales for all the group’s products, the South African operation in KwaZulu-Natal will have an air separation unit commissioning team which includes customer support.

LNG engineering

Nikkiso has set up additional engineering expertise to provide process and design capability in the region of southern Africa and Mozambique.

“The facility will also provide LNG equipment, to support the large natural gas expansion offshore Mozambique and potential development of virtual pipelines for LNG fuel to mitigate the electricity crisis,” explained Nikkiso.

“This expansion positions us to be able to respond rapidly to the growing energy needs of Africa and to provide greater service and support to our customers with our local presence,” said Peter Wagner, Chief Executive of Cryogenic Industries and President of the Group.

Bruce van Dongen will serve as Managing Director of the South African operating company.

“A service facility is planned for the future, which will support pumps and turbo-expanders. This expansion represents a commitment to support the growth of the African market,” said the company.

Cryogenic Industries is now a member of Japan’s Nikkiso Co. offering engineered cryogenic gas processing equipment, including pumps, turbo-expanders, heat-exchangers and small-scale process plants for industrial gases and LNG.

Founded over 50 years ago, Cryogenic Industries is the parent company of about 20 operating entities such as Nikkiso Cryo, Nikkiso Integrated Cryogenic Solutions, Cosmodyne and Cryoquip.