Singapore shipbuilder Keppel Offshore & Marine has won contracts, via Keppel Singmarine, to build two dual-fuel diesel LNG tugs.
The tugs have been ordered by Keppel Spit Towage and Maju Marine, who have ordered one each and committed to using bunkering services provided by Keppel-Royal Dutch Shell joint venture company FueLNG.
The tugs, which are expected to deliver in 2018, are being co-funding up to S$2m ($1.46m) each by Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore under its LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme Grant.
Chow Yew Yuen, CEO of Keppel Offshore & Marine, commented: “We are happy to secure orders to build our first two dual-fuel tugs which will be built to Keppel’s award-winning proprietary designs. Keppel has a strong in-house research & development (R&D) unit that has developed innovative designs including LNG carriers and barges to meet the maritime industry’s needs as the demand for green solutions and LNG rises. Combining this R&D capability with our rich shipyard expertise, we will continue to seize opportunities along the LNG value chain and help owners deliver LNG efficiently to end markets.”
Keppel and Shell have also signed an MOU to jointly explore opportunities in using LNG as fuel.