Knutsen to build Eni-bound LNG-fuelled shuttle tanker duo

Norwegian independent shipping company Knutsen NYK Offshore Tankers (KNOT) has been awarded a contract by Italian energy giant Eni to build two LNG-fueled shuttle tankers.

Knutsen said last week that the two new 124,000 dwt LNG-fueled shuttle tankers would be built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Korea with delivery in mid-2022.

According to the company, the vessels will operate in the North Sea under a time-charter contract for a maximum ten-year period.

These vessels will be able to reduce emissions of CO2 equivalents significantly compared to conventional oil-fueled shuttle tankers, through using LNG as the primary fuel. There will also be installed a battery package to save energy during DP operation.

Trygve Seglem, president and CEO of KNOT, said: “We are pleased to announce that KNOT and Eni extended their partnership in the North Sea with two new LNG shuttle tankers.

“Eni, through their ownership in Vår Energi, has many interests in North Sea gas and oil fields and is thus one of the major players in the area.

“This contract is the third and fourth long-term time-charter shuttle-tanker contracts between Eni and KNOT Group.“