A liquefied natural gas (LNG)-bunkering articulated tug-barge (ATB), designed by Jensen Maritime has been granted “approval in principle” by classification society American Bureau of Shipping (ABS). The designation affirms that Jensen’s vessel concept, which is classed as an A1 Liquefied Gas Tank Barge, is compliant in principle with ABS rules and guides.
Jensen’s LNG-bunkering articulated tug-barge is not limited to the intracoastal waterways, like many other similar types of LNG ATBs. The barge is ideal for mobile bunkering and it is also oceans rated.
Image: Jensen Maritime
The LNG ATB is featured with new flexible design, which allows the vessel to facilitate the transfer and use of small-scale LNG in places with limited infrastructure, including offshore locations.
The new barge will be built with four LNG tanks Type C, 1,000- m3 each (seven bar working pressure), it means enough LNG to fill up a large containership twice before having to replenish its own supply.
The combination of this capacity, together with the flexible operational areas makes the new barge ideal choice for a customer who has significant LNG needs at one or more ports, which are not located near an LNG terminal.
The vice president of Jensen commented:
“This vessel is exciting for so many reasons, but perhaps most notably because it offers a solution for the maritime industry, which struggles with whether to develop LNG infrastructure or vessels first. This unique concept offers customers an economical alternative to sourcing LNG terminals or trucking LNG to multiple ports. Additionally, the design was developed using Jensen’s proprietary production engineering capabilities, which makes the construction and assembly more efficient. It’s an incredible package.”
Special features:
- Vessel’s measures: 360’ x 60’ x 35’, with a combined tug-and-barge length of 452’ ;
- The tug (under 500 GT US regulatory) features two GE 6L250 engines (Tier 3), each offering at least 2,035 HP, and two Rolls Royce 205 Z-drives, with a speed of 12 knots;
- The ATB will carry 30,800 gallons of fresh water and 90,100 gallons of ballast water;
- The vessel provides enough space for 12 crewmembers;
- Safety features include a double hull, designed to help to protect the ATB’s 4,000-gallon fuel tank, and firefighting capabilities;
- The ATB is classed as a firefighting vessel (FFV-1), so it is well equipped to handle emergencies on board and can satisfy most requirements to have at least one FFV-classed tug escorting LNG tankers into port. There is no linkage between the tug and barge, which means in case of emergency the two can disconnect quickly.
Jensen Maritime Consultants, Inc., is a naval architecture and marine engineering company based in Seattle, owned by Crowley Maritime Corporation.
The building of the new LNG ATB is expected to be finished for the period of 18 to 30 months.