FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel and Shell, has achieved the first commercial liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker transfer in Singapore, the world’s largest bunkering hub, by completing truck-to-ship bunkering for the floating liquefaction (FLNG) vessel, Hilli Episeyo.
The LNG bunker transfer was carried out in batches from July 22 to September 23 and 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, 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.
As of March 2017, there were 102 LNG-fuelled ships in operation around the world and 108 on order.
