First Small-Scale LNG Reload at Singapore Terminal
Singapore LNG Corporation (SLNG) has successfully performed its first small scale LNG reload at its terminal on Jurong Island. The operation was carried out from 18-20 June for the newly built, 6,500 cubic meter Cardissa, an LNG bunker vessel.
The 120-meter (394-foot) Cardissa is owned by Shell and co-financed by the European Union’s Connecting Europe Facility that will serve customers in Northwest Europe.
The operation was conducted at the SLNG terminal’s secondary jetty, which is originally designed to accommodate LNG vessels from 60,000 to 265,000 cubic meters in size. Detailed compatibility studies were carried out in advance to ensure that the vessel could safely call at the jetty.
Among other things, the compatibility studies involved checking whether the vessel’s equipment would be able to connect with the equipment at the jetty and the marine conditions needed to ensure that the operations could be conducted smoothly.
Prior to this, the smallest LNG carrier that had called at the SLNG terminal for unloading or reloading was about 65,000 cubic meters in size.
John Ng, CEO of SLNG, said, “The successful completion of our first small scale LNG reload operation is significant as it demonstrates the SLNG terminal’s ability to play the role of LNG supply hub for the region. The terminal is able to break LNG cargoes into smaller parcels and facilitate deliveries of small volumes of LNG to other terminals in the region or as bunker fuel to ships in our port.
“We are already looking ahead to further enhance our capabilities in this area, by exploring possible modifications to our secondary jetty to accommodate LNG vessels as small as 2,000 cubic meters. This is expected to come onstream in 2019.”
SLNG and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) jointly launched the nation’s first LNG Truck Loading Facility on April 12.
The MPA has also released a standard for LNG bunkering. The technical reference (TR 56) covers requirements for custody transfer, procedures and safety distances and competency requirements for personnel. The technical reference covers LNG delivery from LNG bunkering facilities to receiving ships through four modes of transfer (truck-to-ship, shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship and cassette bunkering).
The Singapore Government has been working closely with industry players to advance the nation as a leading LNG bunkering and gas trading hub. In September 2015, MPA announced the co-funding program for LNG-fuelled vessels. There has been a positive response from the local harbor craft industry, and LNG-fuelled tugboats and bunker tankers delivering conventional fuels are expected to be operational from 2018.
In January 2016, the MPA issued two LNG bunker suppler licenses to Pavilion Gas and a joint venture between Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell which they have named FueLNG.
In October 2016, MPA announced the introduction of waiver of craft dues for LNG-fuelled harbor craft and 10 percent port dues incentives for ocean-going vessels using LNG-fuelled harbor craft when in the Port of Singapore. The MPA also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with seven other international port authorities and maritime administrations to build a network of LNG bunker-ready ports to facilitate the adoption of LNG as an alternative fuel.