The LNG carrier is also South East Asia’s first LNG bunkering vessel
Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) has successfully delivered its first newbuild Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier, Avenir Advantage to Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir LNG). The LNG carrier also functions as an LNG bunkering vessel (LBV), making it the first in South East Asia to do so.
It is the first of two such vessels that Keppel O&M is building for Avenir LNG, expanding its suite of solutions across the gas value chain. This reinforces Keppel’s Vision 2030, which includes seizing opportunities in LNG solutions and renewables.
The 7,500m3 LBV was built at Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China, and is equipped with engines that can run on both diesel and LNG. Keppel O&M’s technology arm, Offshore Technology Development (OTD), also installed and commissioned the vessel’s Ballast Water Treatment System.
Mr Tan Leong Peng, Managing Director (New Builds), Keppel O&M, said, “We are pleased to deliver South East Asia’s first LBV, which strengthens our capabilities and extends our track record in providing solutions across the gas value chain.
“This is the fourth dual-fuel vessel we have delivered, and one of four LNG bunkering vessels we are building. It is a testament to our versatility and ability to provide environmentally-friendly solutions for more sustainable vessel operations. Keppel O&M is well-positioned to capture opportunities in the LNG market as companies increasingly adopt LNG as a marine fuel for a wide range of vessels.”
Avenir Advantage has been chartered by Petronas LNG to provide ship-to-ship LNG bunkering to vessels across Malaysia, and transport services as an LNG carrier for small-scale terminals in the region.
Avenir LNG’s CEO, Milorad Doljanin commented, “The flexible design of our vessels means our ships can support the development of the LNG bunker fuel market in the shorter term whilst underpinning our strategic objective; to enable LNG supply to energy users who were previously unable to enjoy the environmental and cost benefits which LNG affords.”
Keppel O&M has developed a suite of solutions in both the demand and supply of LNG as fuel. It is currently building eight dual-fuel vessels, including LBVs, containerships, and dredgers. Keppel O&M is also promoting LNG as a marine fuel through FueLNG, its joint venture with Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, which provides safe truck and vessel LNG bunkering solutions in Singapore. FueLNG’s first LBV, which is also Singapore’s first, is scheduled to be operational by end-2020.