Bilobe tanks for LNG bunkering barge

The companies will design and supply the cargo handling system including two 6,000 m³ bilobe Type C tanks designed to transport LNG at -163°C.

The cargo handling system will enable the barge to load LNG from a supply terminal and transfer the LNG to the clients’ vessels using a ship-to-ship transfer system. During transit the cargo can be kept in its liquid state at ambient pressure through the use of a chiller unit.

The barge will be built by Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding for US-based owner Crowley and operate under a long-term charter with Shell NA LNG, LLC. The 12,000 m³ barge will be the largest of its kind built in the US so far and is expected to start operations along the US East Coast in 2024.

TGE Marine’s design is based on extensive engineering experience within the small scale LNG carrier, bunker vessel, FSRU and fuel gas system markets with more than 250 successfully delivered projects to a variety of renowned ship owners and shipyards.

In January, TGE Marine announced the completion of the tank building phase for two large LNG cargo tanks, including insulation, at Jiangnan Shipyard. The two bilobe shaped cargo tanks of approximately 16,000 and 14,000 m³ capacity respectively for the transportation of LNG are the largest LNG bilobe IMO type C tanks ever built. They are designed for a maximum design pressure of 4.80 barg and a minimum design temperature of -164 °C. The applied PU spray foam insulation system results in a very low boil-off gas rate of 0.15% / day. The design is approved by DNV.

The tanks have already been installed into the hold spaces of the 30,000 m³ LNG Carrier newbuilding Coral Nordic for the Dutch shipping company Anthony Veder. The commissioning and gas trial activities are expected to be carried out later this year.