HHI TO BUILD LNG BUNKER VESSEL FOR KOREA
The contract for the construction of the 7,500cbm capacity LNG bunker vessel was signed with HHI on 24 March, KOGAS confirmed. The vessel is scheduled for delivery in 2023.
The LNG bunkering vessel is expected to commence LNG bunkering service in Korea in 2023 following delivery from HHI’s shipyard where it is being built. This will be the first dedicated LNG bunker vessel providing ship-to-ship bunkering in Korea, but KOGAS noted that ship to ship bunkering in Korea is expected to begin later in 2021, using a 7,500cbm LPG carrier, SM JEJU LNG2.
The SM JEJU LNG2 features a corrugated membrane-type LNG cargo containment system, KC-1, developed by KOGAS in cooperation with DSME, Samsung Heavy Industries and Hyundai Heavy Industries.
The newbuilding project is consistent with the objectives of Korea’s LNG Bunkering, a joint venture formed by KOGAS, and which includes Busan Port Corporation, POSCO International, S-Oil, Daewoo Logistics and Hyundai Glovis.
LNG Bunkering previously identified plans to secure two bunkering ships along the country’s eastern and southern coasts, as well as a third bunkering ship operating along the western littoral. The group plans to lift sales volumes of LNG as a marine fuel to 1.36 million tons by 2030.
