Keppel O&M to build first LNG bunkering vessel in Southeast Asia

The dual-fuel vessel is scheduled for completion in 2020.

Keppel Singmarine Pte, a subsidiary of Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, has secured a contract from FueLNG to build the first Liquefied Natural Gas bunkering vessel in Southeast Asia valued at approximately $50m.

FueLNG is a joint venture between Keppel O&M and Shell Eastern Petroleum.

The dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel can harness boil-off a gas which is a by-product of bunkering operations as well as continuously evaporating LNG in the cryogenic tank. The vessel’s barge-like extended flat surface also maximises vessel compatibility enabling FueLNG to deliver LNG bunkers to a wider range of vessels. It will have a capacity of 7,500 cubic metres.

“We are delighted to build FueLNG’s first LNG bunkering vessel, which comes on the back of other recently secured contracts for newbuild solutions along the gas value chain,” said Keppel O&M managing director for gas & specialised vessels Abu Bakar.

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FueLNG will also receive a grant of up to $3m as part of the Maritime and Port Authority of SIngapore’s (MPA) LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme (LBPP).

“We are pleased that FueLNG, Keppel and Shell are taking the lead in growing the LNG bunkering infrastructure in Singapore. As the world’s largest bunkering port, it is important that we support the development of LNG bunkering in our port to cater to future demand for LNG as a marine fuel,” said Andrew Tan, CEO of MPA.

The vessel will be built to the MTD 7500U LNG design, a proprietary design of Keppel O&M’s ship design and development arm, Marine Technology Development (MTD). The vessel’s key
features include high manoeuvrability which enables bunkering without tug assistance, as well as propulsion and power management systems optimising fuel consumption.

It is scheduled for completion in Q3 2020.