Simplifying ship to shore bunkering

Kenneth Engblom, director, sales and marketing, LNG solutions at Wärtsilä said: “Wärtsilä as an EPC [engineering, procurement and construction] contractor sees this new technology enabling us to do even smarter total LNG terminal solutions for various types of small-scale LNG opportunities, where a jetty would be an expensive and time-consuming solution to execute.”

The floating transfer terminal comprises a self-propelled barge that shuttles to and from LNG vessels moored up to 800m offshore. The barge provides a base for a hybrid hose handling transfer system developed by Houlder and KLAW LNG, while Trelleborg’s CRYOLINE LNG Floating Hoses are used to transfer of LNG and boil-off gas between the barge and any shore facility.

The low draught barge and floating hoses mean that the FTT can be rapidly and easily deployed in the widest possible range of locations at much lower cost than fixed infrastructure. The concept is aimed at coastal communities that may have limited appetite for major civil works required for new harbours, quaysides and jetties due to environmental sensitivities and financial constraints.