SENER Designs New LNG Bunkering Vessel

SENER says it has developed a design for an 8000 m3 capacity ship to ship LNG bunkering vessel.

Spain-based SENER Group (SENER) Monday announced that it has developed a design for an 8,000 m3 capacity ship to ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel.

The LNG-propelled vessel is said to be designed for navigation, maneuverability, and operation in rough weather conditions, and features an Unrestricted Navigation notation.

"SENER has applied the knowledge acquired throughout more than 40 years of activity in design, construction and operation of regasification plants, as well as in the design of Floating Regasification and Storage Units (FSRU)," said the company of the bunker vessel design.

The design is said to meet vessel requirements set for 2030, and features International Maritime Organization (IMO) type C LNG cargo tanks on deck, which were said to minimise and manage steam generated from boil off within the tanks.

"This storage system allows greater flexibility of operation, reducing the effect of the wave inside the tank, sloshing, thus allowing partial loads," explains SENER.

To facilitate the ship to ship bunkering process, the vessel design is said to include the latest generation of articulated arms, which have a high level of automation and control, and feature a measuring system to obtain "maximum accuracy in the measurement of the transference rate."

The design is said to comply to requirements detailed by the Society Of International Gas Tanker & Terminal Operators Ltd (SIGTTO), Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF), and the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk (IGC Code), among others.

In August, Ship & Bunker reported that classification society DNV GL had developed a new class notation to ensure safe fuel transfer operations during ship to ship gas bunkering operations.