Spain’s Armon Gijon is moving forward with the construction of Knutsen’s 5,000-cbm LNG bunkering ship in order to deliver the vessel next year.
The yard held a keel-laying ceremony on Wednesday, according to Spanish LNG operator Enagas that partnered with Norway’s Knutsen on the newbuild via its small-scale unit, Scale Gas.
The Port of Barcelona, where the first Spanish-built LNG bunkering vessel will operate, also supports the project.
In addition, the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility has approved nine million euros for the development that is part of the Spanish bunkering initiative LNGhive2, according to Enagas.
To remind, Shell recently revealed it chartered the vessel from Knutsen as the energy giant continues to grow its LNG bunkering business.
Following delivery next year, the vessel will call at the Enagas-operated terminal in Barcelona to load and then supply LNG in the region.
The 92.75 meters long ship, with a beam of 16.90 meters and a draught of 4.25 meters, will also go on LNG, Enagas said.
This new ship will add to the 15 barges that already supply LNG in the world, six of which are operating in Spain, the LNG terminal operator said.