FueLNG – a joint venture between Keppel and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd (Shell) – has achieved the first commercial LNG bunker transfer in Singapore by completing truck-to-ship bunkering for the Hilli Episeyo floating liquefaction (FLNG) vessel.
The LNG bunker transfer was carried out in batches from 22 July to 23 September and was conducted in accordance with the Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC) Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR 56), which provides a safe, efficient and sustainable technical framework for LNG bunkering operations.
This marks the first LNG trucking operation for FueLNG, following the facilitation of Singapore LNG's (SLNG) successful gas-up/cool-down and reload operation at its Jurong Island terminal of the Cardissa, Shell's LNG bunker vessel, in June 2017.
Michael Chia, Chairman of FueLNG Ltd, said: "This is an exciting milestone for FueLNG as we establish ourselves as a safe, cost-efficient and reliable LNG bunker supplier. The development of proven LNG bunkering infrastructure will give confidence to the industry that LNG can be widely adopted as a marine fuel and is sustainable for the long-term."
FueLNG has also secured contracts from Keppel Smit Towage and Maju Maritime to provide LNG bunkering services for two dual-fuel LNG harbour tugs. These contracts will commence in 2018 when construction of the tugs is completed.
To promote Singapore as an LNG bunker-ready port, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) commenced its LNG bunkering pilot programme (LBPP) early this year. Under the LBPP, the MPA has provided various companies with grants of up to S$2 million per LNG-powered vessel constructed.
Global industry players are poised to pursue greener and more sustainable solutions with the implementation of environmental regulations, such as the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) new 0.5% global sulfur cap on fuel content effective from 1 January 2020.
Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/gas-processing/26092017/fuelng-completes-lng-bunkering-in-singapore/