Singapore takes another step toward LNG bunkering

This week the MPA took another step toward the planned early 2017 launch of the LNG Bunkering Pilot Program (LBPP) which is aimed at developing Singapore as a key LNG bunkering hub in Asia.

The Port of Singapore is inviting interested companies to tap into Singapore $12 million available from the MPA’s Maritime Innovation & Technology Fund for the building of LNG-fueled vessels. The MPA will provide up to Singapore $2 million (about US$ 1.4 million) per vessel, capped at two successful funding applications per company.

Companies must be incorporated in Singapore, and the funded vessels must be flagged under the Singapore Registry or licensed for activity in Port of Singapore for a period of at least five years.

MPA has been collaborating closely with partner agencies, industry stakeholders and technical experts, to develop LNG bunkering standards, procedures and infrastructures.  On July 28 it announced its Request for Proposal (RFP) for interested parties to apply for an LNG bunker supplier license allowing the them to supply LNG bunkers to vessels in the Port of Singapore.

MSE swoops on gas specialist TGE Marine

 

TGE Marine is a leading provider of engineering services for the design and supply of gas carriers, fuel gas systems and offshore units. Its deliver turnkey solutions for engineering, design, procurement and construction supervision (EPCS) of marine gas handling and storage systems as well as vessel designs. It specalizes in the containment and handling of cryogenically stored gases and is a market leader in the ethylene carrier and small LNG carrier segment.

It is a pioneer in LNG fuel gas systems and LNG bunkering. Most of its customers are commercial shipyards that build gas carriers.

MES says that with the demand for small-to-medium sized carriers for LNG, ethane and ethylene gas, and LPG expected to increase it is currently engaged in the development and sale of medium sized multi-gas carriers. And with the increasing focus on environmentally friendly marine fuel, it has been engaging in the development and sale of electronically-controlled dual fuel gas injection diesel engines (ME-GI) and high-pressure compressors for fuel gas supply systems that can use not just heavy oil, but also natural gas as fuel.

The technology and the engineering and construction knowhow and strong customer bases at both MES and TGE are expected to be highly compatible with each other and, by bringing all of this together, MES believes the two companies will be able to establish an excellent market position in the global small-to-medium sized gas carrier market and offer high value-added solutions to their customers. Furthermore, MES offering its core gas fuel products, such as engines and high-pressure compressors, is expected to produce significant synergies with TGE’s fuel gas supply system.

NYK takes delivery of Japan’s first LNG fueled tug

NYK has chartered the tug to Wing Maritime Service Corporation, another wholly owned subsidiary that operates 20 tugboats at the ports of Yokohama, Kawasaki, and Chiba and which will operate the Sakigake mainly in  Yokohama and Kawasaki. It is the second environmentally-friendly tugboat to be operated by Wing Maritime which took delivery of the hybrid tug Tsubasa in March 2013.

The Sakigake is equipped with twin Niigata 6L28AHX-DF dual-fuel engines, each developing 1,618 kW. They are the prime movers for a the 360-degree steerable Niigata Z-Peller propulsion system.
The DF engines can use either of LNG and diesel oil, depending on conditions. Compared with conventional tugboats that use marine diesel oil, Sakigake emits about 30 percent less carbon dioxide, 80 percent less nitrogen oxide, and absolutely no sulfur oxide when using LNG as fuel.

NYK says that the small size of most tugboats, the limited amount of space, and the large variation in engine power make it difficult to create an LNG fueled tugboat. Keihin Dock was able to achieve the desired level of environmental performance while maintaining the same hull form and steering performance of existing tugboats. To do this, the shipbuilder made full use of its knowledge and technical strengths, and worked closely with both Niigata Power Systems and Air Water Plant & Engineering Inc.  to develop equipment for supplying LNG.

LNG will be supplied by Tokyo Gas Co and delivered to the vessel from a tanker truck at a pier in Yokohama, with a successful trial fueling being carried out in July.

The project received subsidies from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, which support projects promising energy-saving logistics and innovative maritime transport improvements. ClassNK also provided joint research support.

The NYK Group has already ordered the world’s first LNG-fueled car carrier, in addition to an LNG supply vessel, and the group is set to participate in the LNG bunkering business.

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