The following is the text of a news release from LNG America:
(HOUSTON) — LNG America LLC announced today that it has contracted with Jensen Maritime, Crowley Maritime Corp.'s Seattle-based naval architecture and marine engineering company, to design the initial bunker/shuttle barge for its U.S. Gulf Coast operations. LNG America plans to have the vessels ready for service by the end of 2015.
The vessels, which are expected to deliver in late 2015, have an initial planned capacity of up to 3,000 cubic meters of LNG. Once in operation, the bunker barges will serve the dual purpose of moving LNG from the supply source to coastal-based storage and distribution terminals as well as directly bunkering large ships.
“Through LNG America’s LNG bunkering initiative, we plan to serve and facilitate the growing marine demand for LNG,” said Keith Meyer, CEO of LNG America. “LNG America sees the demand for marine LNG to be robust as long as LNG can be made available to the maritime industry on a reliable, dependable, and cost competitive basis. Our mission is to deliver competitively priced LNG as fuel where needed, when needed, and in the quantity needed.”
This agreement between LNG America and Jensen Maritime is a significant step in LNG America’s build out of it’s LNG bunkering infrastructure along the U.S. Gulf Coast, and a significant step in delivering a new clean fuel to the maritime industry.
“The significance of this agreement is not only incredible news for the marine industry, which struggles with whether to develop LNG infrastructure or vessels first, but also for companies along the U.S. Gulf that hope to replace their traditional vessels with cleaner, more efficient LNG-powered ones,” said Jensen’s Johan Sperling, vice president. “We are thrilled to be working with LNG America in the development of its marine infrastructure and also in providing a green fuel source to this important region. Jensen is on the leading edge when it comes to LNG vessel design and we look forward to serving LNG America and other customers with this valuable service.”
About LNG America
LNG America LLC is a Delaware limited liability company formed in 2013, based in Houston Texas, with the objective of providing a highly reliable source of LNG in quantities required by emerging high horsepower LNG fuel markets including marine, rail, E&P, mining, and trucking. Additional information about LNG America may be found on the company’s website at www.LNGAmerica.com
About Jensen Maritime
Seattle-based Jensen Maritime Consultants Inc. is a full service naval architecture and marine engineering firm owned by Crowley Maritime Corporation. The company offers a diverse range of consulting, design and engineering services developed from 50 years’ experience working around the world. Jensen is a recognized leader in the design of all types of vessels – particularly workboats, fishing boats and passenger ferries – and has built a favorable reputation on a long history of successful designs and conversions with close attention to engineering basics. The company's services include detail and conceptual design and engineering, lofting, regulatory and shipyard liaison as well as on-site consulting services and on-location assistance anywhere in the world. Additional information about Jensen may be found on the Internet at www.jensenmaritime.com.
