SENER develops LNG bunkering vessel design

JANUARY 25, 2016 — Madrid, Spain, headquartered SENER has developed its own design for a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, applying knowledge acquired in more than 40 years of activity in the design, construction and operation of regasification plants and the design of Floating Regasification and Storage Units (FSRU).

It says that Spain, with an important network of LNG plants operating along its coast, cannot be left behind in the development of LNG as a marine fuel as the result of SECA requirements.

The SENER design is a Ship To Ship (STS) LNG bunkering vessel, with IMO type C LNG cargo tanks at 4.5 bar and -163ºC, which reduces to a minimum the BOG (boil-off gas) generated in the tanks, although a BOG management system has been incorporated, to process the BOG generated in the transfer process. SENER says this storage system allows greater flexibility of operation, reducing the effect of the wave inside the tank, sloshing, thus allowing partial loads.

The vessel is designed for navigation, maneuverability and operation in adverse meteorological conditions, including Unrestricted Navigation notation. The propulsion uses LNG as fuel, with type C tanks on deck.

The ship includes the latest generation articulated arms designed for the STS bunkering process, with a high level of automation and control, including an innovated measuring system to obtain the maximum accuracy in the measurement of the transference rate, and complying with the regulations of SIGTTO, OCIMF and IGC, among others.

The main particulars of SENER’s prototype are:

• Overall length: 114.8 m
• Molded breadth: 20.4 m
• Molded depth: 8.5 m
• Draft: 5.7 m
• Speed: 15 kn
• MCR: 6000 kW
• Capacity: 8000 cu.m
• Number of tanks: 2
• Material taks: 9% Ni Steel

DNV-GL: 1 Al, +Tanker for Liquefied gas, GAS FUELED, Ship type 2G, (independent tank type C, 4,5 bar, -163ºC, 650 kg/m3), ESP, BIS, SBM, BWM, E0, ECHO, NAUT-AW, Recyclable, ECA