Ship-to-ship LNG bunkering
Ship-to-ship bunkering is considered by the industry as the key to adoption of LNG as a marine fuel (Photo: BV)
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The world’s first ship-to-ship LNG bunkeri[ds_preview]ng operation between two independent ocean-going vessels has been performed in Sweden. Classification society Bureau Veritas calls the operation a »milestone« for the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.

On September 3, Terntank Rederi’s »Ternsund« bunkered LNG from »Coral Energy«, a Dutch small scale LNG vessel owned by Antony Veder and chartered by Skangas. The operation was carried out at the entrance to the port of Gothenburg, both vessels were classed by Bureau Veritas.

The 15,000 dwt »Ternsund« is the world’s first LNG-fuelled newbuilding oil/chemical tanker. It was built under BV class at Avic Dingheng, China and delivered to Terntank at the end of June 2016. »Coral Energy«, which has a capacity of 15,600 m3, is also built to BV class and was delivered in 2013.

According to BV, ship-to-ship bunkering is considered by the industry as the key to adoption of LNG as a marine fuel. It is the standard bunkering mode adopted by the shipping industry for refueling ships, but last week’s operation is the first time ever that a cryogenic fuel has been ship-to-ship bunkered. It opens the way for ship-to-ship bunkering around the world, as unlike a fixed LNG terminal, the bunker vessel is not dependent on location, and can offer LNG as fuel to any receiving vessel.

Jean-François Segretain, Technical Director, Marine & Offshore Division, Bureau Veritas, said: »The ship-to-ship bunkering between Ternsund and Coral Energy represents a significant milestone in the adoption of LNG as marine fuel. Bureau Veritas has facilitated this major step through our dedicated rules and active participation in development of new international guidelines that encourage the adoption of clean fuel and enhance designs for new clean vessels.

This first LNG ship-to-ship bunkering operation will soon be followed by other LNG ocean-going bunker vessels classed by Bureau Veritas, the classification society said. These include ENGIE bunker vessels operating from Zeebrugge, and a Sirius Veder Gas AB new bunker vessel under construction at Dutch shipyard Royal Bodewes.