(HELSINKI) — The technology group Wartsila has been selected to provide a broad scope of products and solutions for a new articulated tug-barge (ATB). The vessel will be used to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel to cruise ships along the east coast of Florida. This will be the first fueling barge with a Wartsila solution operating in U.S. waters, and is seen as being an important logistics link for the growth of LNG as a marine fuel in the U.S.
The 4,000-cubic-meter capacity ATB is being built at the VT Halter Marine (VTHM) shipyard in Pascagoula, Miss., on behalf of Quality Liquefied Natural Gas Transport LLC (Q-LNG). When delivered, the vessel will be on a long-term charter with Shell Oil Co.
The ATB comprises a barge and a tug. The barge will be fitted with a Wartsila LNG cargo storage, handling, and control system. Wartsila will also supply the barge automation, power management, and ballast water management systems, as well the bow thruster. The tug will include Wartsila main propulsion steerable thrusters and shaft lines, the Wartsila NACOS Platinum dynamic positioning system, the tug automation, as well as all navigation and communication equipment.
The order with Wartsila was booked in November 2017. Deliveries will continue throughout 2018 and 2019, and the vessel is scheduled to commence operations in 2020.
Q-LNG is owned 70 percent by Shane Guidry and 30 percent by Harvey Gulf International Marine, a company that currently has six vessels under construction or in operation with LNG solutions supplied by Wartsila. The success of these installations, together with recommendations from Shell, were strong factors in the selection of Wartsila equipment for this project.
