Q-LNG Transport and Shell informed that the first offshore LNG bunkering articulated tug and barge (ATB) in the United States, the Q-LNG 4000 is ready for operations.
Designed to provide ship-to-ship transfers of LNG to vessels utilizing LNG and ship-to-shore transfers to small scale marine distribution infrastructure, the ATB is an integral part of the LNG infrastructure along the southeast U.S. coast.
This milestone in the development of marine LNG infrastructure is an important step in the safe, reliable transportation and delivery of LNG in North America, Q-LNG said in the statement.
“Shell has the ambition to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050 or sooner, in step with society, and we are working hard to deliver the kind of solutions our customers need now to help them decarbonize,” said Karrie Trauth , general manager for Shipping and Maritime, Americas.
The barge complements Shell’s existing global network of 6 LNG bunker vessels to meet the growing global demand for cleaner maritime fuels.
Compared to heavy fuel oil, LNG reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 21 per cent for 2-stroke engines and up to 15 per cent for 4-stroke medium speed engines as well as significantly reducing pollution from nitrogen oxides and particulate matter compared to conventional marine fuels.
This fuel type also meets IMO 2020 sulphur regulations.