US LNG fuelling facility

HGIM said that when the new facility is operational later this year, it will be the “first facility of its kind in the USA.”

Shane Guidry, CEO, HGIM, said: “[This] milestone represents another significant step in the path for Harvey Gulf to establish itself as the nation’s leader in utilising LNG as a marine fuel.”

He pointed out that HGIM is investing a total of US$350m in the construction of an LNG operated fleet. The six vessels are being built at Gulf Coast Shipbuilding in Gulfport MS. They are due for delivery in August 2014.

Both the vessels and the facility will help expand the company’s commitment to using environmentally efficient vessels and green fuel technology.

Lockheed Martin has been commissioned for the construction of the facility’s LNG storage tanks, CH-IV International of Houston has been appointed as the FEED and EPC contractor and Matrix PDM Engineering of Pittsburgh will deal with design and engineering. Civil engineering services are being provided by Carubba Engineering of Metairie.

Whn completed, the LNG facility will consist of two sites each having 270,000 gallons of LNG storage capacity. Each will be able to transfer 500 gallons of LNG per minute.

The project brings HGIM together in a strong partnership with the State of Louisiana, the US Department of Energy and the US Coast Guard with the shared goal of developing the country’s strategy in clean energy use.

Mr Guidry said that on a wider scale, the new facility will help to strengthen America’s future energy independence.