STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Sturgeon Bay shipbuilder will help construct what it believes to be the largest LNG (liquefied natural gas) bunkering barge ever made in the United States.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is partnering with Crowley Maritime Corporation on the project.
The 416-foot vessel will offer capacity for 12,000 m3 (3.17 million gallons) of LNG and when complete it will be the largest Jones Act-compliant vessel of its kind, becoming the second Jones Act-compliant bunker barge Shell has under long-term charter in the U.S. It will be used to help expand current LNG network capacity and meet demands for cleaner energy.
LNG is a process through which natural gas is cooled to a liquid state and reduced by nearly 600%, which makes it easier and safer to transport. Bunkering barges either transport the gas to locations where it can be returned to a gaseous state for energy, or it can be used to refuel other vessels which use LNG. LNG burns much cleaner than the other fossil fuels, resulting in greater reductions in pollution and less internal wear on engines.
In 2002, Fincantieri designed and constructed two large articulated tug-barges for Crowley.
Currently, Fincantieri is wrapping up construction of a similar but smaller LNG barge for Polaris New Energy, Clean Canaveral, which is expected to deliver later this year.
This vessel for Crowley is expected to be in service in 2024.
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