[:en]Shell will modify Anthony Veder-owned small-scale multi-gas carrier Coral Methane into an LNG bunker-supply ship, to be deployed across northwest Europe and the Mediterranean, the energy firm has confirmed – securing its second such charter deal this week.
Conversion works will begin early in the new year, preparing Coral Methane to operate “in the southern part of the North Sea and Mediterranean. The conversion is an industry first, requiring specific LNG bunker equipment to be integrated on board.
Shell charters Coral Methane as a multi-purpose gas ship. News of Shell’s plans for the ship emerged in Rotterdam in September, when it launched Cardissa, its first purpose-built LNG bunker-supply ship.
There, Shell downstream LNG manager Lauran Wetemans let slip that the company was talking to Anthony Veder about converting the 2009-built, 7,500 mᶾ Coral Methane.
Yesterday, Shell confirmed it will charter a purpose-built 4,000 mᶾ LNG bunker-supply barge, to supply LNG as marine fuel along the US southeast seaboard. Quality LNG Transport (Q-LNG) has ordered the barge for long-term charter to Shell, to deliver LNG as marine fuel to cruise ships touring Florida and the Caribbean.
Q-LNG is a new firm, owned 70% by Harvey Gulf International Marine chief executive Shane Guidry and 30% by the company he leads. It will own and operate the offshore articulated tug-barge (ATB), Mr Guidry has confirmed. VT Halter Marine will build the ATB at its yard at Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Shell is pressing for first-move advantage in LNG bunker-supply ships. Its wholly owned vessel Cardissa is now in service. On top of the two LNG bunker-supply ship charters announced this week, Shell will also charter a 3,000 mᶾ LNG bunker-supply barge, to be based at Rotterdam and to serve Europe’s inland waterways, from 2019.
That gives Shell control of four of the nine purpose-built LNG bunker-supply ships confirmed to date. Total is now circling the market, seeking to charter the largest such vessel yet built, with capacity to deliver 14,000 mᶾ-18,000 mᶾ, to support CMA CGM’s giant LNG-fuelled container ships.
One of very few small-scale carriers, Coral Methane helped Shell and Anthony Veder to expand Norway’s coastal LNG trades. The ship has a solid track record in ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore operations.
Last year, it was the first vessel to load at jetty three at Gate Terminal in Rotterdam. “We are proud to offer Shell this pioneering solution,” Anthony Veder chief executive Jan Valkier said.
Source: www.lngworldshipping.com[:]
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