The SENER technology and engineering Group has developed its own design of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, in which SENER has applied the knowledge acquired throughout more than 40 years of activity in design, construction and operation of regasification plants, as well as in the design of Floating Regasification and Storage Units (FSRU).
Since 2006, the marine industry of the north of Europe is subject to the emissions control regulations typical of this geographic area and, therefore, has developed experience in the bunkering of small-scale vessels. The new Sulphur and Nitrates Emission Control Area (SECA/NECA), regulated by MARPOL, has promoted the use of the LNG as fuel for the propulsion of ships sailing frequently in this zones and harbour areas. The use of LNG significantly reduces the CO2 emissions and practically suppresses those of SO2, NOx and pollutant particles, and thus it can lead to the development of more environmentally friendly vessels. Spain, having an important LNG plants network operating along its coasts cannot be left behind in the development of this technology.
The SENER design follows the tendencies for 2030 required by operators and ship-owners. The result is a Ship To Ship (STS) LNG bunkering vessel, with IMO type C LNG cargo tanks at 4,5 bar and -163ºC, which reduces to a minimum the steam generated in the tanks (BOG - Boil Off Generated), anyway a BOG management system has been incorporated, to process the BOG generated in the transfer process. This storage system allows greater flexibility of operation, reducing the effect of the wave inside the tank, sloshing, thus allowing partial loads.
The vessel is designed for navigation, maneuverability and operation in adverse meteorological conditions, including Unrestricted Navigation notation. The propulsion uses LNG as fuel, with type C tanks on deck. Likewise, it includes last generation articulated arms designed for the STS bunkering process, with a high level of automation and control, including innovating measuring system to obtain the maximum accuracy in the measurement of the transference rate, and complying with the regulations of SIGTTO, OCIMF and IGC, among others.
The main particulars of SENER´s prototype are:
- Overall length: 114.8 m
- Moulded breadth: 20.4 m
- Moulded depth: 8.5 m
- Draught: 5.7 m
- Speed: 15 kn
- MCR: 6000 kw
- Capacity: 8000 m3
- Number of tanks: 2
- Material taks: 9% Ni Steel
- DNV-GL: 1 Al, +Tanker for Liquefied gas, GAS FUELLED, Ship type 2G, (independent tank type C, 4,5 bar, -163ºC, 650 kg/m3), ESP, BIS, SBM, BWM, E0, ECHO, NAUT-AW, Recyclable, ECA
SENER maintains an open attitude to observe and identify opportunities, to know the state-of-the-art and thus being able to find new ideas to meet the demands of the market and its customers. Furthermore, the close connection to its clients and their problems, together with the effort to provide high added value solutions, leads SENER to acquire a remarkable experience in the marine engineering sector. Taking advantage of the experience of its professional team, integrated by experts in the Oil&Gas as well as in the marine sectors, SENER has developed the LNG bunkering vessel, obtaining an optimized design, which is oriented to the operation, security and effectiveness. Special interest is put on the elements necessaries to measure the transference rate, parameter of high importance in this type of ship; and on the study of the security of the facilities (HAZID) and the security of the operation (HAZOP) at the conceptual engineering stage.