KARMOL’s first FSRU to arrive in Senegal in May

KARMOL’s first FSRU is on its way to Senegal after it completed sea trials off Singapore. It should arrive in the West African country in May.

To remind, the joint venture of Turkey’s Karpowership and Japan’s MOl took delivery of Karmol LNGT Powership Africa on March 15 at Sembcorp Marine in Singapore, after it departed for sea trials.

Sembcorp converted the 125,000-cbm FSRU from an old MOSS-type carrier.

KARMOL said then the FSRU would depart to Senegal in early April to start serving the 235 MW Powership alongside the shores of Dakar before the end of June.

The venture’s technology includes a combination of Powerships and FSRU’s to bring LNG-to-power projects to countries with no domestic gas supply.

Karmol LNGT Powership Africa was on Friday located in the Indian Ocean, offshore Mauritius, VesselsValue data shows. It looks like the 272 meters long vessel is being towed.

The FSRU should arrive in Dakar around May 24.

Mauritius Commercial Bank provides $60 million loan

In a related development, the Mauritius Commercial Bank said on Friday it would provide $60 million funding to fuel Senegal’s national electrification and LNG ambitions.

The bank’s loan makes part of the syndicated project finance facility of $140 million to Karpowership.

MCB was not only a co-mandated lead arranger but provided the highest loan commitment, it said.

The project finance facility has enabled Karpowership to operate its 235 MW Powership alongside the shores of Dakar since August 2019.

In addition, the Powership contributes to around 15% of Senegal’s electricity supply.

Following the arrival of the FSRU in the coming weeks, it would shift from the use of heavy fuel oil to regasified LNG, the bank said.

This fuel switch-over would generate “material reduction in Senegal’s fuel bill with positive spill-over effect on electricity costs in line with the Plan Sénégal Emergent,” the bank said.

Moreover, the use of gas will enable Senegal to cut its carbon emission.

Senegal has ambitions to shift primarily to natural gas for its power production by 2035, thereby reducing further the national grid’s emissions factor, the bank said.

Most Popular

Woodside terminates Commonwealth LNG SPA

Australian LNG player Woodside has terminated its two LNG sale and purchase agreements with US LNG terminal developer Commonwealth LNG.

Germany, Egypt seal FSRU charter deal

Germany's Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has signed a deal with Egypt's state-owned EGAS to charter the 174,000-cbm FSRU Energos Power.

Thailand in Alaska LNG talks

Thailand's PTT and Egco will engage in further discussions to potentially participate in the development and buy volumes from the planned Alaska LNG project, according to Thailand's Ministry of Energy.

More News Like This

ONE plans LNG-powered containership order

Ocean Network Express (ONE), a joint venture of Japan's NYK, MOL, and K Line is eyeing an order for LNG dual-fuel container vessels, according to shipbuilding sources.

MOL’s LNG fleet continues to expand

MOL's large fleet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) tankers expanded to 107 vessels as of the end of March this year.

MOL’s LNG-powered bulker to start work with JFE Steel

MOL's LNG-powered bulk carrier, Verde Heraldo, is ready to start working for Japanese steel manufacturer JFE Steel under a charter deal.

MOL inks deal with Tokyo Gas for wind-assisted LNG carrier

Japan's shipping giant MOL has joined forces with a unit of compatriot city gas supplier and LNG importer Tokyo Gas on an LNG carrier equipped with wind-assisted ship propulsion systems.