AsiaGas

MES pays €164m for German gas tech firm

Some of the biggest names in Japanese shipbuilding are nailing their colours to the mast of gas carriers. With China and South Korea taking away much of their traditional ship types away from them, the likes of Mitsubishi, Kawasaki and Mitsui are preparing for greater series construction of gas carriers. Yesterday, Splash reported on how Mitsubishi Heavy Industries was rejigging its Nagasaki yard to focus on LNG and LPG carrier construction solely.

Now, Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding (MES) is buying out gas tank provider TGE Marine from Caledonia Investments, Gasfin Investment and Dr. Küver GbR for €164m ($184m).

Germany’s TGE is an engineering, procurement, and construction supervision provider that, among many services, designs type-C pressurised gas tanks and gas handling systems, procures raw materials and components, and supervises construction for small-to-medium sized gas carriers.

“With the demand for small-to-medium sized carriers for liquefied natural gas, ethane and ethylene gas, and liquefied petroleum gas expected to increase in the foreseeable future,” the Japanese yard said in a release, “MES is currently engaged in the development and sale of medium sized multi-gas carriers. In addition, with tightening environmental regulations and increasing focus on environmentally friendly marine fuel, MES has been engaging in the development and sale of electronically-controlled dual fuel gas injection diesel engine and high-pressure compressors for fuel gas supply systems that can use not just heavy oil, but also natural gas as fuel.”

MES joins a raft of Japanese shipbuilders who have come to the conclusion that in the race to remain relevant in today’s competitive shipbuilding sphere the key is to be at the forefront of gas technology. Other Japanese yards to have noteworthy technology include Japan Marine United whose unique prism technology is being rolled out on many LNG containment systems these days.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.
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