Los Angeles: North America’s first LNG bunker barge will be built in Texas after WesPac Midstream and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy awarded the construction contract to Conrad Orange Shipyard.
The deal was announced on Wednesday by WesPac/CME, providers of energy infrastructure with focus on liquefied natural gas. On completion the first 2,200 cu m barge will be deployed in Tacoma, Washington to service Totem Ocean’s Orca class vessels.
Under international protocols, emission control areas are now in effect off North America’s coasts, requiring strict controls on fuel emissions. The bunker barge will feature one tank equipped with MARK III Flex cargo containment technology from French firm GTT.
CME’s CEO Pace Ralli said the deal “shows that WesPac/CME is taking the necessary steps to complete the LNG supply chain so shipowners can be assured LNG will be available when and where it is needed.”
