Sweden’s Stena develops new LNG bunkering vessel concept

Stena LNG and Northern Marine unit Tritec Marine have joined forces to develop a conceptual liquefied natural gas bunkering vessel.

Both Stena LNG and Northern Marine are units of the Swedish shipping company Stena Bulk.

The concept named SAFE Bunker is an LNG bunker/feeder vessel with a capacity of 7,500 cubic meters in 2C type tanks, the two companies said in a joint statement.

The vessel features dual-fuel diesel-electric engines and podded propulsors in the bow and the stern.

The pods can also propel the vessel while dynamic positioning during refuelling operations.

“The location of the cargo control room (at the top of the accommodation block) in combination to the DP capability enables SAFE bunkering by alleviating contact between the two vessels even in less favourable weather conditions”, the statement said.

The concept received approval in principle by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) in October 2019, the statement added.