EMEA News
Titan LNG Claims Development of Northern Europe's First LNG Bunkering Pontoon
Titan LNG says it has designed and developed the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering pontoon in North West Europe, the Titan LNG Flex-Fueler.
The vessel is said to be intended to supply inland waterway vessels from a fixed location, but can also be move to supply larger sea-going vessels unloading or loading their cargo, thereby minimising costs and enhancing operational efficiencies.
"It is critical that LNG bunkering infrastructure is developed to facilitate the efficient, cost effective, and safe delivery of LNG to both large and small LNG-fuelled vessels," said Niels den Nijs, Commercial Director at Titan LNG, noting that there has been an increase in larger LNG-fuelled vessels coming into the market that cannot be bunkered at land-based LNG stations due too high costs or draft restrictions.
Titan LNG Flex-Fueler's low Operational and Capital expenditure (CAPEX and OPEX) requirements are said to make the vessel more economical compared to conventional LNG bunker barge delivery.
Further, it is expected that the vessel will have a return on investment (POI) that increases alongside stricter emissions regulations on shipping, including emission control areas (ECAs), and the implementation of a 0.5 percent global sulfur limit.
"The feedback that we have received from customers, ports and class societies has convinced us that Titan LNG Flex-Fueler is the missing link to safe, economical and speedy LNG delivery in the ARA region," said den Nijs.
"We are working with other industry stakeholders, including ports, ship owners and operators as well as class to further develop the design and classification of the Titan LNG Flex-Fueler bunkering pontoon in advance of its official launch in Q1 2018."
The company says the Titan LNG Flex-Fueler will be fitted with up to four 300 cubic metre (cbm) capacity tanks, with two cranes will be used for flexible hose guidance.
The vessel is said to be capable of loading and unloading via ex-wharf, ex-truck, and ex-vessel, with discharge capacity range is between 30 cbm and 450 cbm of LNG per hour.
"The Titan LNG Flex-Fueler can act as a catalyst for a substantial increase in demand for LNG conversion – with current retrofitting costs decreasing as tanks and cryogenic equipment become cheaper due to economies of scale," concluded den Nijs.
In May, Titan LNG hailed what it called the first debunkering of a LNG powered inland waterway barge, the Greenstream in the Dutch port of Moerdijk.
