Avenir LNG, the Norwegian-listed small-scale LNG project developer and vessel owner, has taken delivery of the “Avenir Achievement” as it expands its small-scale terminal and carrier business.
The “Avenir Achievement” is the second dual-purpose small-scale carrier of 20,000 cubic metres capacity constructed at the Nantong shipyard in China owned by CIMC Sinopacific Offshore and Engineering.
The “Avenir Achievement” is the sixth small-scale LNG vessel to be delivered to the Norwegian company.
Avenir is a joint venture owned by London-based Stolt-Nielsen and shipping company partners Höegh LNG and Golar LNG Ltd.
“The vessel will be equipped with boil-off gas reliquefication and simultaneous operations capabilities, making her the world’s largest, most efficient and versatile LNG Bunker Supply Vessel,” said Avenir.
Six-month charter
From delivery the vessel will initially be employed on a six-month time charter with New Fortress Energy, the US-based LNG-for-power company, before commencing a three-year charter with Shell North America LNG in the first quarter of 2023.
Avenir noted that the charter with Shell has the option to be extended for up to five years.
“We are delighted to see the delivery of the ‘Avenir Achievement’ and the completion of Avenir’s phase one newbuilding programme,” said Peter Mackey, Avenir Chief Executive.
“This has been an enormous joint effort from the ship yard and Avenir team through a challenging period over the past three years,” he added.
Mackey stated that Avenir had now concluded its initial asset development programme, having brought six newbuild vessels and a small-scale import terminal in Sardinia over the past 18 months.
“We continue to see enormous growth potential in the small-scale LNG segment and we expect to announce our phase-two growth programme in the second half of 2022, bringing additional small-scale LNG terminals and vessels into the market,” declared Mackey.
Growth
Mackey said that Avenir’s assets and partnerships are now in place in China, Malaysia, the Mediterranean, the Baltic Sea and the Caribbean.
Avenir agreed at the end of March to buy out the shareholdings of its Italian partners in the LNG terminal at Port of Oristano in Sardinia.
