A European unit of China Merchants Group has received basic design approval from Italian classification society RINA for an LNG bunkering vessel concept.
RINA said it has granted approval in principle to Ravenna-based CMIT-Europe for its “technologically advanced” weather independent shuttle tanker (WIST).
The classification society claims this is the first vessel of its kind in the world.
The small water plane area twin hull (SWATH) LNG bunkering vessel concept would be capable of sailing in adverse marine weather conditions, it said.
RINA said this solution would “significantly” contribute to the spread of LNG use onboard vessels in a “safe and efficient way.”
According to CMIT-Europe’s website, the concept has the capacity to transport 2,000 cbm of LNG in type C tanks.
CMIT-Europe designed the cargo handling, FGSS, reliquefaction, and all other topsides.
The vessel would have a length of 62 meters and a width of 19 meters, two submerged torpedoes, one platform/superstructure, and two arms connecting the torpedoes and superstructure.