VT Halter Marine Begins Construction of Q-LNG Bunkering Barge

Today, Shane Guidry, CEO of Q-LNG Transport, LLC, and VT Halter Marine, Inc. jointly announced the commencement of construction for QLNG’s first Articulated Tug and Barge (ATB) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Bunkering unit.  The announcement was made at a ceremony in VT Halter’s shipyard in Pascagoula, MS with representatives from Shell Trading (U.S.) Company (“Shell”), Wartsila North America, Inc., and the American Bureau of Shipping, and members of the media attending. The ceremony was highlighted by the initial cutting of steel for the ATB.

"I’m looking forward to developing a long term relationship with VT Halter and my ATB project is only the beginning. The cutting of this steel for America’s first Liquefied Natural Gas ATB bunkering vessel is the beginning for LNG to become the marine fuel of the future," said Shane J. Guidry, CEO, Q-LNG Transport.

"We are honored to be able to celebrate the official start of construction on the First LNG Bunkering ATB unit ever built.  We believe that this is a significant step towards the USA becoming the premier supplier of Liquefied Natural Gas as the environmentally friendly maritime fuel source of choice for the future," said Rob Mullins, Chief Executive Officer, VT Halter Marine.

In November 2017 the formation of Q-LNG Transport was announced, along with the long-term contract with Shell to deliver LNG as a fuel source to various ports in Florida and the Caribbean. Concurrently, the contract with Q-LNG and VT Halter Marine was announced for the construction of the ATB for LNG bunkering at VT Halter Marine’s Pascagoula shipyard.

VT Halter Marine has contracted with Q-LNG for engineering services to complete the detailed functional design for the development and construction of one LNG Bunkering ATB.  The ATB Tug will have 5,100 horsepower, GE 6L250 MDC EPA Tier 4 main engines, with Z-drives, and dimensions of 128’ x 42’ x 21’. The barge is designed to carry 4,000 cubic meters of LNG, and will have dimensions of 324’ x 64’ x 32’.6”.  The LNG ATB Unit is designed to meet the requirements of American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and the International Gas Carrier (IGC) code as an LNG bunkering barge.  Anticipated delivery date for the first unit is 1st Quarter 2020.  Contract terms and delivery were not disclosed.

Q-LNG Transport, LLC, is based in Houston, Texas and is the premier provider of LNG transportation and vessel bunkering services in North America.  Please visit www.q-lngtransport.com.

VT Halter Marine, the marine operations of VT Systems, is based in Pascagoula, Mississippi and is a leader in the design and construction of medium-sized ships in the United States. VT Halter Marine designs, builds and repairs a wide variety of ocean-going vessels such as patrol vessels, oil recovery vessels, oil cargo vessels, ferries, logistic support vessels, auxiliaries, research and survey vessels.  Please visit www.vthaltermarine.com.