Sener

Spanish engineering and technology firm Sener has developed a new ship to ship (STS) liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel design.

The company is said to have leveraged its 40 years of experience and expertise in the design, construction and operation of regasification plants, as well as the design of floating storage and regasification units (FSRU), to design the ship.

The shipbuilding industry in northern Europe has been subjected to restriction and guidelines specific to areas contributing to emissions since 2006.

Additionally, the new emission control areas of sulphur and nitrate (SECA / NECA) imposed by Marpol to promote the use of LNG as a fuel in ships, has prompted Sener to construct LNG-powered vessels.

Sener’s 114.8m-long ship will be propelled by LNG fitted with cargo tanks of LNG IMO type C at a pressure of 4.5 bar and temperature -163ºC, which reduces steam generated in the tanks, also known as boil off generated (BOG).

It is incorporated with a plant to treat the BOG during the transfer process.

"The ship’s architecture paves the way for operational accuracy and to adhere to the specific regulations."

The storage system reduces the crashing effect of waves in the tank and allows partial loads, hence facilitating flexibility in its functionality.

It is also fitted with an arms art to facilitate the process of bunkering from STS, with a high degree of automation and control.

The ship’s architecture paves the way for operational accuracy and to adhere to the specific regulations such as SIGTTO, OCIMF and IGC.

The vessel will be deployed for navigation, handling and operation, equipped to withstand harsh weather, with unrestricted navigation notation.


Image: A graphical illustration of Sener’s LNG bunkering vessel. Photo: courtesy of Sener Group.