Americas News
Industry Leaders Join Forces To Guarantee Availability of LNG Bunkers, Solve "Chicken-and-Egg" Problem
Siemens Drilling and Marine, Dresser-Rand, and Lloyd's Register have announced they will create a "best of industry team" to make liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkers widely available to ship owners seeking to use natural gas as a propulsion fuel.
"In putting together this team of leaders in the marine and LNG space, our integrated solution, encompassing the entire supply chain of LNG including gas-fueled marine propulsion systems, will remove the chicken-and-egg hurdle from the LNG-equation," said David Grucza, Siemens Drilling and Marine.
"This is a disruptive concept for the maritime industry, and the technology exists for immediate adoption. This joint solution is not limited geographically, and we stand ready to support the marine industry globally, although our initial focus is on deploying U.S. shale gas."
The solution will comprise elements designed and engineered by naval engineering firms Waller Marine Inc. and The Shearer Group Inc., including a land-based and/or floating "LNGo-liquefaction barge," 2,500 m3 capacity capacity LNG bunkering barge, and 4,200 or higher horsepower river Pushboat.
"LNGo streamlines the permitting process. Since LNGo is mobile, it can be easily moved if a bunkering site does not work well and needs to be changed," the companies said.
Lloyd's Register noted that while there are currently only approximately 40-50 LNG-fueled vessels globally, strong growth is predicted due to increased emissions regulations.
Last month Ship & Bunker began the first public publishing of LNG bunker prices.
