The bunker barge Clean Everglades has joined Seaside LNG’s fleet of Jones Act-compliant LNG barges extending the company’s LNG bunkering business to the Gulf of Mexico. The new barge is operated by Polaris New Energy (PNE), the bunkering arm of Seaside LNG.
Seaside LNG contracted Fincantieri to build the 340-foot articulated tug barge (ATB), which is similar in design and appearance to its sister craft, the LNG barge Clean Canaveral, which was also built at Fincantieri’s 63-acre shipyard in Sturgeon Bay, Wi.
Clean Canaveral has successfully completed more than 65 LNG bunker operations since it was delivered two years ago.
“Polaris New Energy is excited to continue to expand the LNG bunkering infrastructure in the United States,” said Tim Casey CEO of Seaside LNG.
“The delivery of the Clean Everglades gives us the ability to expand our LNG bunkering business to the Gulf of Mexico. Partnering with the talented and professional staff at Fincantieri has produced a second exceptional vessel.”
Demand for LNG to fuel the maritime sector is growing rapidly with orders for LNG vessels eclipsing 30 percent of the global merchant fleet orderbook.
LNG is seen as a leading emissions solution in the maritime sector as the industry advances its sustainability efforts to meet growing emission reduction goals.
The 5,500 cubic-meter ATB is an Oceans Classed ABS barge fitted with four 1,375 CBM IMO Type C tanks and a cargo-handling system designed and developed by Wartsila.
Seaside LNG owns 50 percent of JAX LNG, a small-scale LNG production facility, and 100 percent of PNE’s bunkering barge operations.
PNE maintains the largest fleet of Jones Act-compliant bunkering vessels in the U.S. with LNG bunkering capabilities compatible with the needs of several vessel types, including cruise ships, containerships, tankers, and auto carriers.
In addition to Clean Canaveral and Clean Everglades, its fleet currently also includes the tugs Polaris and Tortuga, and the ATB Clean Jacksonville.