French-based classification society Bureau Veritas intensifies its efforts for a more widespread adoption of LNG as fuel. Multi-national interest group Sea/Lng announced BV as new member.
Philippe Donche Gay, President, Marine and Offshore commented: »Bureau Veritas is committed [ds_preview]to helping make LNG one of the preferred, and safe solutions for a clean shipping future, which is why it makes sense to work collectively with SEALNG members to achieve this.«
The classification society already has a couple of LNG projects in its portfolio. Most recently, it classified the gas-fuelled cruise ferry »Megastar« of operator Tallink, which was built a Meyer Turku and delivered to the owner End of January. According to the statement, BV‘s involvement across the entire LNG fuel chain as well includes the classification of LNG-fuelled tankers, bunker vessels, and LNG plant and terminal certification. At the end of 2016, Bureau Veritas had 22 LNG-fuelled ships in class with a further 39 under construction – one recently ordered. »In China, BV is the leading classification society for new LNG-fuelled ships«, it was said.
Together with BV, SEALNG, welcomed two additional new members: Clean Marine Energy and Gas Natural Fenosa have joined the association, too. Peter Keller, SEALNG Chairman and Executive Vice President, Tote said: »We firmly believe that collaboration, demonstration and communication on key areas such as safety, regulation, emissions and the economic case are essential to providing the confidence and demand required for an effective and efficient global LNG value chain by 2020. With the addition of Bureau Veritas (BV), Clean Marine Energy (CME), and Gas Natural Fenosa to our coalition, we are expanding our knowledge and experience base, bringing us one step closer to achieving our vision.«
Other SEALNG members are ABS, Carnival Corporation & plc, DNV GL, Eagle LNG Partners, ENGIE, ENN Group, GE, GTT, JAX LNG, Keppel Gas Technology, Lloyd’s Register, Mitsubishi Corporation, NYK Line, Port of Rotterdam, Qatargas, Shell, Total, TOTE Inc., Toyota Tsusho Corporation, and Wärtsilä.
Founded in 2012, Clean Marine Energy describes itself as »a first-mover in developing LNG distribution infrastructure and finances the construction or retrofit of LNG-fuelled vessels«. In February 2015, CME signed construction contracts to build the first US Jones Act LNG bunker vessel at Conrad‘s Shipyard in Orange, Texas, and alongside energy midstream company Northstar Midstream, LLC and partner Pivotal LNG is constructing the first fully-integrated LNG marine fuelling facility in North America (JAX LNG), in Jacksonville, Florida.
Gas Natural Fenosa has a diversified natural gas and LNG portfolio, amounting to approximately 30 bcm, and employs directly or indirectly a fleet of new methane tankers for the transportation of LNG worldwide.
