LNG

The American Bureau of Shipping, the US maritime classification society, has inaugurated an ABS Global LNG Academy in the Qatari capital Doha and dedicated to training and educating mariners in modern LNG vessel operations.

The American Bureau of Shipping, the US maritime classification society, as issued its 2023 strategy message at the annual ABS Advisory Council Meeting which also included presentations from the US Maritime Administration (MARAD) and the US Coast Guard.

The American Bureau of Shipping, the US maritime classification society, has granted approval for an innovative concept for floating liquefied natural gas projects to use storage tanks from older LNG carriers.

The FLNG design was jointly developed by two Japanese companies, the shipping line Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K-LINE) and LNG and energy engineer JGC Corp.

ABS awarded an approval in principle (AIP) for the joint project which was also supported by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The design essentially involves transferring and reusing LNG storage tanks from spherical Moss-type LNG carriers into the hulls of new FLNG facilities.

By re-using existing LNG vessels and their Type B storage tanks, the potential number of shipyards globally able to build FLNG units is increased.

The new Japanese design if it moves to production would support the forecast increase in demand for fast-track FLNG solutions.

“In many areas of the world, FLNG represents a potential solution to the challenge of meeting increasing demand for natural gas without the need for an export pipeline to shore and the associated infrastructure,” explained Tor Ivar Guttulsrod, the ABS Director for FLNG and FSRU vessels.

“ABS is committed to supporting development of FLNG globally while retaining a laser focus on safety,” stated Guttulsrod.

Expertise

Satoshi Kanamori, an Executive Officer at K-Line, said the design had potential to leverage shipping expertise and existing LNG assets.

“K-LINE will continue to make relentless efforts and generate new values to meet the diversifying needs of our customers,” added Kanamori.

JGC executive Hiroyuki Ishizaki agreed with the K-Line assessment as it was based on technical capabilities accumulated in FLNG and engineering, procurement and construction projects.

“This results in the enhancement of the customer's FLNG business since it is potentially an optimized CAPEX solution. JGC will continue to develop FLNG technologies for open seas and nearshore,” added Ishizaki.