The following is the text of a news release from Harvey Gulf International Marine (HGIM):
(NEW ORLEANS) — Harvey Gulf International Marine has received both American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) class functional approval and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) design basis approval on a 4,000-cubic-meter liquefied natural gas (LNG) articulating tug-barge (ATB) construction drawing package. The design accounts for ship-to-ship transfer and shore-side resupply transfers.
“The development of this vessel design highlights our commitment to and involvement in the strengthening of the domestic LNG marine fuel market, and our continued commitment to a leadership role in developing a robust supply infrastructure," said HGIM Chairman and CEO Shane J. Guidry.
Working closely with its design partner Waller Marine, and in conjunction with ABS and USCG, HGIM has developed the design package ahead of construction, thereby minimizing the potential for delays and significant cost impacts to the project during construction. Harvey Gulf continues to lead the United States in the domestic marine LNG market, adding to its already substantial involvement in the area. This involvement has been highlighted by delivering the first U.S. vessel to use LNG as a marine fuel, Harvey Energy, and the development and operation of the first LNG marine refueling terminal in the U.S. at Port Fourchon, La.
The ATB's design — a 128-foot tug and 324-foot barge — meets all domestic and International requirement of a gas carrier, including the existing regulatory requirements defined in 46 CFR Subchapter D, 46 CFR Subchapter 0, the International Code for the Design and Construction of Ships Carrying Liquefied Gases in Bulk, 2016 edition (IGC Code), and applicable ABS Steel Barge Rules: Part 5 Chapter 2 Section 5 Liquefied Gas Tank Barges (as modified per 2016 IGC Code), and ABS Steel Vessel Rules Part 5C Chapter 8 Sections 1-19 (as modified per 2016 IGC Code and referenced within the ABS Barge Rules).
“This project and the methodical approach in which it has been developed is very different from any other similar vessel design project undertaken thus far," said Chad Verret, executive vice president of LNG operation at HGIM. "We are designing a gas carrier that will provide ship-to-ship transfers of LNG to vessels utilizing LNG as a fuel and to do ship-to-shore transfers to small-scale marine distribution infrastructure, all while having the ability to load at any Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO) compliant off-take facility.”
The design team has put together a vessel that has four independent 999-cubic-meter type “C” cargo tanks, the ability to load and discharge at a rate of 600 cubic meters per hour and a transit speed in excess of 10 knots. The design incorporates a robust fire and safety system concept for both components of the ATB and the independent ability of the vessels to manage situations as they arise. Working together with Wartsila, the cargo systems integrator on the complete design, supply and integration on board the vessel, assures both functionality and confidence in the operability of the system.
Another key design component of the design is the use of a sub-cooler for boil-off gas (BOG) management, the teamwork in conjunction with Air Liquide using its Turbo-Brayton technology (TB 350) as a means to condition the cargo as necessary to manage BOG.
