Singapore’s First LNG Bunkering Vessel Launched

FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd (Keppel O&M) and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, has announced the launch of Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel in Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China.

Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel was moved from land to water on 28 May 2020.

As per FueLNG, construction of the 7,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel is progressing smoothly and is on schedule to be completed in Quarter 4, 2020.

The LNG bunkering vessel will enable FueLNG to be the first in Singapore to provide regular ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services within the Singapore port. It 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.

The vessel, which will be able to run on both LNG and marine diesel oil, is currently being built to the proprietary MTD 7500U LNG design developed by Keppel O&M’s technology arm, Keppel Marine and Deepwater Technology for cleaner and safer bunkering activities.

Key features of the vessel include high manoeuvrability which enables bunkering without tug assistance, compatibility with a wide range of vessels, as well as propulsion and power management systems that optimise fuel consumption.

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The vessel has a filling rate range of up to 1000m3 of LNG per hour and is able to supply LNG to various types of vessels at heights ranging from 3m to 23m above water level.