USA’s First LNG Barge Construction Starts

USA’s First LNG Barge Construction Starts At Conrad Orange Shipyard

Liquefied natural gas solutions provider WesPac Midstream LLC and Clean Marine Energy, an emission compliance solution provider have come together in building the infrastructure needed to make LNG propulsion work along the coasts of the United States.

Construction of the first LNG bunker barge in the US is already underway.  The Marine log indicates a keel laying ceremony at Conrad Shipyard facility, Orange, Texas on Wednesday,9th September 2015.

The innovative barge design will use natural gas as propulsion fuel and reduce ship emissions by lowering SOx, NOx, CO2 and Particulate matter, through the conversion of ships to LNG.  Conrad Orange Shipyard proposes to construct the 2,200 cm barge under French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT) Mark III Flex (cargo containment system) GTT license.  GTT staff are to supervise the membrane construction.  The barge delivery is scheduled for early 2016.

This initial LNG project is part of the WesPac/CME vision to provide an integrated LNG solution for engine conversion, infrastructure, supply and delivery of LNG to the shipping industry.

The LNG barge is planned to be deployed in Tacoma, Washington, to service Totem Ocean Trailer Express’s (Totem Ocean) “Orca class” RO/RO vessels which are completing the LNG conversion process.

Conrad Shipyard’s Chairman, President and CEO – Johnny Conrad, is quoted to have said, “This contract represents a first for our industry and country.  To have the opportunity to provide a Conrad barge to such innovative partners as WesPac, Clean Marine Energy and in partnership with GTT is exciting for us and demonstrates our organization’s ability to produce a wide variety of sophisticated vessels for our customers.”

Source: LNG World News

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