Germany-based Schulte Group has unveiled a new LNG bunkering design as the global LNG-powered fleet continues to grow.
The shipping group presented the vessel for the first time during the Gastech Exhibition and Conference in Milan, Italy.
Family-owned Schulte said it has used its experience as an LNG bunker vessel owner and operator to develop a new “LBV design that is easy-to-use, fulfils present and known future requirements for at-sea LNG bunker deliveries and reduces last-mile costs.”
Reducing costs
“The vessel design does away with the need for fenders and spacer pontoons, which take time and manpower to manually deploy, replacing them with an integrated outrigging system that’s compatible with any vessel type and can be operational in five minutes with the push of a button,” Schulte said.
Same applies to the telescopic crane, which extends over 40 meters over the water.
Also, the vessel fits with all known and soon-to-come LNG-fueled vessels, according to the firm.
The ship also features warming-up, gas freeing and aeration equipment to prepare LNG-fueled vessels for drydock, and flexible design options.
A smaller crew can operate the vessel whilst still ensuring high safety standards, it said.
All of these components would help reduce the CAPEX (capital) and OPEX (operating) costs for owners and operators, Schulte said.
Ultimately this would achieve low last-mile costs for the LNG fuel industry, including the LNG-fueled client vessels, it said.
Battery or hydrogen solution
The shipping group said it prepared the desing for new and future decarbonizing rules and regulations like IMO’s Carbon Intensity Index (CII) and EU’s Fit-For-55.
In this context, measures are either built into the design or available for future upgrade with, for example, a battery hybrid solution or retrofitted for hydrogen power.
In combination with a battery hybrid solution and “green” shore power, depending on the operation profile, the vessel could operate largely carbon-emissions free, Schulte added.
