New Design for LNG Bunker Barge Retrofit

The options available for LNG bunker barges have grown with the addition of two new concepts from Crowley Maritime subsidiary Jensen Maritime.

The first involves outfitting an existing barge with an above-deck LNG tank. The concept can be further modified to accommodate more than one type of product if a customer has a need for multiple liquid transfers. Advantages of this design include a fast turnaround and a reduced need to invest in specialized assets if a customer has short-term LNG requirements.

The second concept is for a purpose-built, new bunker barge. Offering greater carrying capacity and improved visibility, the design features a larger LNG tank that is nestled inside the barge. 

The barges are ideal for ports not located near an LNG terminal or as an alternative to over-the-road transportation, says Jensen.

Growing Demand

Earlier this year, the U.S. Coast Guard’s Office of Design and Engineering Standards released interim guidance on the design of LNG barges. As interest in the use of LNG as a maritime fuel has increased, the Coast Guard has been approached by a number of vessel designers and operators requesting specificity regarding the design and operation of barges carrying LNG in bulk.

U.S.-based Conrad Industries announced in March that its subsidiary Conrad Orange Shipyard, has entered into a contract to build the first LNG bunker barge to service the marine market in North America. 

Conrad’s customer, WesPac Midstream, and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy, will deploy the barge initially to service shipowner TOTE but aim to eventually offer LNG bunkering to other LNG powered vessels in the Port of Jacksonville. The 2,200 cubic meter (cbm) barge was designed by Bristol Harbor Group and is scheduled for delivery in early 2016.