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Liquid Natural Gas News

28 Dec 2023

"Green" Loan Secured for Low-Emission Cruise Ship

Copyright UMB-O/AdobeStock

Fincantieri signed a "green" construction loan for a maximum amount of $461m with Intesa Sanpaolo (IMI Corporate & Investment Banking Division) and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (CDP), the proceeds of which will be used to cover the financial needs linked to the construction of the Mein Schiff Relax, the first of two newly designed dual-fuel inTUItion class cruise ships (Liquid Natural Gas - LNG and Marine Gas Oil - MGO) that Fincantieri is building for TUI Cruises, a joint venture between the TUI AG and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

07 Feb 2023

Maritime Transport: Fuels, Emissions and Sustainability

Copyright AdriFerrer/AdobeStock

International trade by sea has long been a key part of the world economy and approximately 90% of traded commodities is reliant on shipping. Once wind-propelled in the days of sail, the current generation of ships now heavily rely on fossil fuels. Fossil fuel propulsion contributes to global warming with carbon emissions approximating 940 MtCO2e per year and also has health implications for communities surrounding ports through the release of air pollutants. The environmental impact of fossil-fuelled engines is further compounded by their use in port infrastructure…

02 Nov 2022

Report: Germany Could Seize Property to Speed LNG Build-out

Credit:Karel/AdobeStock

Germany, racing to end its reliance on Russian gas, plans to introduce new regulation that will make it possible to expropriate property to link offshore liquid natural gas terminals to the grid, Handeslblatt reported. The new law could make it possible to use parts of Gazprom's defunct Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines, to link a terminal to the shore.The newspaper said a draft law due to be agreed by the government on Wednesday would make it possible to expropriate "movable objects" when necessary "to build natural gas pipelines or linked infrastructure".Until earlier this year…

31 Mar 2022

Tech File: ABB Launches New Permanent Magnetic Shaft Generator

Image courtesy ABB

The latest in-line shaft generator from ABB is designed to enable ship operators to benefit from the multiple advantages of permanent magnet technology. The new generator brings flexibility and ease of installation to a wide range of vessels including bulk carriers, container carriers, liquid natural gas tankers and ferries transporting passengers and cars.The AMZ 1400 permanent magnet shaft generator is optimized for converter control and enables better efficiency than either induction or electrically excited synchronous machines at both full and partial loading.

16 Nov 2021

Light Structures tapped for ice load monitoring on 10 new Arctic-bound LNG Carriers

Samsung Heavy Industries chooses ATEX approved, fiber optic-based SENSFIB monitoring technology to help keep new Sovcomflot ice-class vessels safe. Image courtesy Light Structures

Samsung Heavy Industries SHI selected Light Structures AS, a supplier of fiber optic condition monitoring systems for maritime applications, to deliver comprehensive ice load monitoring systems for 10 Arctic Liquid Natural Gas Carriers (ALNGC) operated by Russia´s largest shipping company, Sovcomflot.Click here for feature on Light Structures' as published in the November 2021 edition of Maritime Reporter & Engineeering NewsThe first of Sovcomflot’s newbuild ice-class ships will be delivered before the end of the year, with six more due in 2022 and the final three arriving in 2023.

16 Mar 2021

SCHOTTEL to Equip Germany's New Multipurpose Ships

(Image: SCHOTTEL)

Three new multipurpose vessels ordered from the Abeking & Rasmussen ship and yacht shipyard (A&R) in Lemwerder by the German government for the Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) will be equipped with SCHOTTEL propulsion systems. Planning and design as well as tendering and continuous construction supervision are carried out by the Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), Ship Technology division.Maneuverability, high bollard pull, increased availability combined with maximum propulsion efficiency are important for these vessels.

24 Dec 2020

VIDEO: Gazprom Neft's New LNG-Bunkering Vessel Hits the Water

Russia’s first cargo and passenger ship-to-ship LNG-bunkering vessel has been set afloat, Gazprom Neft has informed.“Ship-to-ship” bunkering involves ships being refueled directly from the deck of a specialist bunkering vessel. This technology means bunkering can be undertaken when ships are moored or docked at a pier.The company said Wednesday that the shipyard specialists had completed the main stage in the vessel’s construction, including assembling the hull and installing LNG fuel tanks and other auxiliary systems, in record time.

16 Sep 2020

Germany Offered to Build LNG Terminals to Avert US Pipeline Sanctions

© Nord Stream 2 / Axel Schmidt

Berlin offered to spend 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) to build two liquid natural gas terminals in a bid to dissuade the United States from imposing sanctions over the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, due to bring gas directly from Russia to Germany, Die Zeit reported on Wednesday.The weekly paper said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz made the proposal in an Aug. 7 letter before Washington imposed sanctions on companies involved in building the Baltic Sea pipeline, effectively freezing its…

29 Jan 2020

EIB Fund Greek LNG Bunkering Vessel Construction

European Investment Bank (EIB) and Public Gas Corporation of Greece (DEPA) have signed an agreement to finance with up to 20 million euros the construction of a new liquid natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel for maritime use in Greece which will be based in Piraeus. EIB said that the first vessel of its kind in Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean will have a capacity of 3,000 cubic meters and will be supplied with LNG at Revithoussa LNG terminal.The bunker tanker will refuel its LNG at Revithoussa LNG terminal and will carry out bunkering both in Piraeus and other Greek ports, as well as the wider region, in support of the shift towards green shipping with more environmentally friendly fuels.The agreement was signed by Konstantinos Xifaras…

26 Jan 2020

Alfa Laval Joins 'Getting to Zero Coalition'

Sweden's Alfa Laval has joined the Getting to Zero Coalition, a coordinated effort to fight climate change by introducing zero-emission vessels by the year 2030.Alfa Laval is committed to reaching this vital goal, which is key to decarbonizing the global shipping industry and reaching the International Maritime Organization (IMO) target of cutting vessel-related greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2050.The ‘Getting to Zero Coalition’ was announced on September 23, 2019, at the United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York, and is a partnership between the Global Maritime Forum, the World Economic Forum and Friends of Ocean Action.

08 Sep 2019

Gazprom Neft, USC Join for LNG Project

Russian oil producer Gazprom Neft, Gazprom gas-engine fuel, and the United Shipbuilding Corporation (USC) have concluded a tripartite cooperation and strategic partnership agreement on developing a liquid natural gas (LNG) fleet and related infrastructure.The memorandum was signed by Gazpromneft Marine Bunker Acting CEO Alexei Medvedev, Gazprom gas-engine fuel, Director General Oleg Melekhin, and USC President Alexey Rakhmanov.The agreement envisages the parties cooperating in research and development activities directed at creating production capacity both for building vessels running on LNG, and in developing LNG infrastructure. The…

30 Aug 2019

UPM to Charter 7 LNG-fueled Newbuilds

Helsinki-headquartered UPM Logistics says that it has entered into a long-term charter agreement with the Finnish Bore Ltd and the Dutch Wijnne Barends, both affiliates of the Dutch Spliethoff Group.Together, the companies will design and build seven state-of-the-art vessels for sustainable sea transportation for UPM in Europe.“This arrangement is a consistent step in UPM’s logistics strategy. It will safeguard a sustainable, competitive and reliable shipping solution for our businesses and customers on long term,” said Lauri Rikala, Director, Global Break Bulk Shipping, UPM Logistics.Bore Ltd will build three (3) RoLo vessels for transporting…

30 May 2019

Global LNG Trade Continues to Increase

Höegh LNG Partners, a provider of floating liquid natural gas (LNG) services under long-term contracts, said that with new LNG production facilities in the US and around the world coming on stream, global LNG trade continues to increase.This, together with competitive LNG pricing and environmental arguments, are driving interest in FSRUs world-wide, said the company which owns and operates floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) which act as floating LNG import terminals. "With an established platform of long-term contracts, Höegh LNG Partners is in a strong position to maintain its leadership position in the FSRU sector and fund incremental growth opportunities as they crystalize…

29 May 2019

Brittany Ferries Extends Contract with Portsmouth

U.K.'s Portsmouth International Port's relationship with major European ferry operator, Brittany Ferries, has been strengthened following the announcement of an additional five years to a joint long-term agreement.This means Brittany Ferries is committed to Portsmouth until the end of 2031, during which time a further three ships will join the current fleet serving routes from the city. Alongside the Honfleur, Brittany Ferries' state-of-the-art environmentally friendly ship powered by Liquid Natural Gas (LNG), Galicia and Salamanca will both be based in Portsmouth from 2021.Additional ferries will increase freight numbers and holiday makers.

24 May 2019

Seaspan Orders Two LNG Battery Hybrids

Canada's Seaspan Ferries will add two new Liquid Natural Gas (LNG) - battery hybrid ferries to its fleet in 2021.The vessels will be constructed by Damen Shipyards Gorinchem B.V. at their Mangalia Shipyard in Romania, said a press release from the marine transportation services provider.With construction scheduled to begin in 2019, the vessels are expected to go into operation in 2021. They will join the Seaspan Swift and the Seaspan Reliant, the company’s first hybrid ferries, commissioned just over two years ago.Since introducing these vessels to their fleet, Seaspan Ferries has been able to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions…

23 May 2019

Saudi Aramco to Buy LNG from US

Saudi Arabia’s state owned oil company Saudi Aramco will buy 5 million tons of liquid natural gas per year(LNG) from the U.S. company Sempra Energy, based in San Diego under a 20 year agreement.The heads of agreement (HOA) between the companies anticipates the negotiation and finalization of a definitive 20-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) sale-and-purchase agreement (SPA) for five million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of LNG offtake from Phase 1 of the Port Arthur LNG export-project under development. It also includes the negotiation and finalization of a 25% equity investment in Phase 1 of Port Arthur LNG.Amin Nasser, Saudi Aramco’s CEO & President, said,“The agreement with Sempra LNG is a major step forward in Saudi Aramco’s long term strategy to become a leading global LNG player.

02 May 2019

Senator Cassidy: No Jones Act Waiver

A Republican U.S. senator on Wednesday said President Donald Trump will not waive rules requiring that only U.S.-flagged ships move natural gas from American ports to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Northeast.The nearly 100-year-old Jones Act mandates the use of U.S.-flagged vessels to transport merchandise between U.S. coasts. Republican senators said the administration was seriously considering waiving the requirements for 10 years. Bloomberg News reported last week that Trump was leaning in favor of some kind of waiver.Senator Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican, told reporters on a conference call that Trump told Republican lawmakers he would not support a waiver.

01 May 2019

Keel Laying for Ohana Class Containerships

The ceremonial keel laying for M/V George III and the cutting of the first steel plates for M/V Janet Marie - two Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) fueled containerships  was held t at Brownsville, TX-based Keppel AmFELS.Upon completion, both 774-foot U.S. Jones Act vessels will join Pasha Hawaii’s fleet, serving the Hawaii/Mainland trade lane.Delivery of the ‘Ohana Class vessels—named in honor of the late parents of The Pasha Group President and CEO George Pasha, IV—is expected in 2020.“Construction of the new vessels continues to progress on schedule,” said George Pasha, IV. “These LNG-powered containerships were designed to support the needs of shippers in the Hawaii trade lane, while minimizing environmental impact in the communities we serve.

30 Apr 2019

Trump to Meet with GOP Senators on Jones Act

The El Coqui, a U.S. flag ConRo carrier, recently built specifically for the Jones Act Caribbean trades and powered by environmentally friendly LNG. CREDIT: Crowley Maritime

President Donald Trump is set to meet with Republican senators on Wednesday over a proposal to waive rules that only U.S.-flagged ships can move natural gas from American ports to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Northeast.The nearly 100-year-old Jones Act mandates the use of U.S.-flagged vessels to transport merchandise between U.S. coasts. Bloomberg News reported last week the administration was seriously considering waiving the requirements for some energy shipments and that Trump…

28 Feb 2019

LNG Only Fills Niches in Europe

Although LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) provides a solid supplement to European gas supplies, the EU is and will remain a pipeline market – for good reasons, said Wintershall's new position paper.The report from Germany's largest crude oil and natural gas producer on the importance of liquid gas for Europe said that the liquefaction is highly energy-intensive – the energy consumption corresponds to about 13% of the gas transported.With an energy loss of less than five percent, pipelines are much more energy-efficient. Another argument for pipeline gas lay in its lower costs. Russian pipeline gas, for example, is more competitive and less expensive than LNG from the USA.Since the EU's own gas production is declining, Wintershall welcomes any additional import route.

14 Dec 2018

Thun's Green Tanker on Preem Lease

Swedish coastal shipping company Thun Tankers  to name the new, environmentally adapted tanker “Thun Evolve” in Groningen, Holland today (Saturday).The tanker will be long-term leased by Preem for deliveries to the company’s depots and customers in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, said the shipping company. The ship will be delivered to Preem at the end of March.The vessel, built in the Netherlands, is a welcome addition to the company's commitment to safer, efficient and sustainable maritime transport, with the least possible environmental impact.“Thun Evolve has been built with the latest design to meet and exceed current and upcoming environmental regulations.

06 Dec 2018

Guangzhou Launches World's First Icebreaking LNG Tanker

The world's first liquid natural gas (LNG) carrier tanker was named 'Boris Sokolov' and delivered by Guangzhou Shipyard International in Guangzhou City.According to Chinese state media, the Arctic condensate tanker carrier designed to traverse the world's icy northern polar region.With a load capacity of 44,550 tons, the vessel, which is built for for Dynacom of Greece, can sail in the Arctic region without icebreaker-piloting, it said. The vessel is mainly used for transporting condensate oil for the Yamal LNG project in northwest Siberia, which is the largest LNG project in the world.Boris Sokolov is designed to cope with the extreme cold of the Arctic, where the temperature can fall below minus 50 degrees.

19 Nov 2018

BIMCO Eyes Asia with New Gas Contracts

Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) will begin work on two gas-related contracts in early 2019, an LNG (Liquid Natural Gas) Bunker Purchase Contract and a LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) voyage charter party.A press release from the largest of the international shipping associations representing shipowners said that it is planning to develop the new contracts in Asia in an effort to further increase the involvement of its Asian members. Both projects will be developed mainly by experts from the region and managed by BIMCO’s Shanghai office, assisted by head office staff in Copenhagen.“An alternative fuels contract and a voyage charter for LPG are two key projects which have global resonance…