FueLNG names Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel

FueLNG Bellina is scheduled to be operational by end-2020

In a virtual ceremony today, FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, named Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel (LBV), FueLNG Bellina.

Scheduled to be operational by end-2020, the vessel will enable FueLNG to be the first supplier to provide regular ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services within the Singapore port.

FueLNG will also provide LNG bunkering from Singapore’s first dedicated LNG bunkering facility which will be built by Keppel O&M on its Floating Living Lab (FLL), with Shell supplying the LNG to the facility when it becomes operational at the end of 2021 (see earlier story)

GLOBAL LNG BUNKERING HUB

“This occasion marks an important milestone in Singapore’s journey to achieve the IMO 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target,” said Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport & Ministry of Foreign Affairs, at the virtual naming ceremony. “It is our next step towards regular ship-to-ship LNG bunkering activities in Singapore. As we progress towards a low-carbon future, we will intensify our efforts to develop the Port of Singapore into a global LNG bunkering hub.”

Mr Chris Ong, Chairman of FueLNG and CEO of Keppel O&M, added, “Building Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel and having a dedicated bunkering facility demonstrate our commitment to global customers that LNG as a marine fuel will be readily available in Singapore. Leveraging the capabilities of Keppel O&M and Shell, FueLNG is able to offer customers a variety of cost-effective and convenient LNG bunkering options. These include ship-to-ship bunkering for larger vessels such as containerships or being able to bunker smaller vessels such as harbour crafts on demand, 24/7, at our dedicated bunkering facility at the FLL in Keppel O&M’s shipyard.”

The 7,500 cu.m LBV supports initiatives implemented by the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) to increase the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel, facilitating the growth of Singapore as a global LNG bunkering hub.

Designed and built by Keppel O&M, the vessel is on track to arrive in Singapore later this year from the Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China. When operational, the vessel’s first contracts will be to provide ship-to-ship LNG bunkering to Shell-chartered tankers and for one of Hapag Lloyd’s container vessels.

HIGHLY MANEUVERABLE

The FueLNG Bellina is designed with a barge-like extended flat surface to provide bunker to a wide range of vessels. The ship is highly maneuverable with two stern azimuth thrusters and one bow thruster enabling the ship to even carry out a crabbing manever during bunkering operations, minimizing tug utilization and in turn reduces fuel consumption and emissions

With a filling rate range of 100-1,000 cu.m of LNG per hour the bunkering tanker is able to supply LNG to various types of vessels at heights ranging from 3 meters to 23 meters. above water level. It is more efficient than conventional bunker vessels, harnessing boil-off gas as fuel for power generation and propulsion.