NorthStar’s Polaris New Energy has taken delivery of its first LNG bunkering barge from US-based Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.
Fincantieri Marine Group’s yard, which is the US division of Italian Fincantieri, delivered the 5,400-cbm barge Clean Canaveral on December 3.
The 103 meters long ABS-classed vessel, the largest of its kind ever built in the US, has departed the yard and is on its way to Jacksonville, Florida.
NorthStar previously said the articulated tug and barge unit would operate along the US East Coast.
Besides its bunkering capabilities, the barge can also work as a small-scale LNG carrier.
It will source the fuel from JAX LNG, a production facility in Jacksonville. NorthStar and Pivotal LNG run the facility jointly.
The duo is working to increase the facility’s production capability three times to 360,000 gallons per day but also double LNG storage capacity to four million gallons.
Second LNG barge
Besides this bunkering barge, Oaktree Capital Management-backed NorthStar Terminals has recently ordered another LNG bunkering barge at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.
PNE Marine, an affiliate of NorthStar’s Polaris New Energy executed the shipbuilding agreement with the yard.
Also, this new 5,500-cbm ship would be a sister vessel to the LNG bunker barge Clean Canaveral.
NorthStar said the new ATB adds to its growing fleet delivering LNG to cruise ships, container vessels, bulk carriers, car carriers, and tankers that are in service or on order today.
It will have four 1,375-cbm type C tanks and a cargo handling system designed and developed by Finland’s Wartsila. ABS will class this 103 meters long vessel as well.