Crowley takes delivery of Shell-chartered LNG bunker barge

U.S.-based marine company Crowley has taken delivery of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge after its construction was completed at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Designed by Crowley’s engineering services group, the 126-meter-long barge Progress has a capacity of 12,000 cbm (3.17 million gallons). The barge features a transformative design to “enable efficient and dependable” supply of LNG to fuel ships.

Vessel’s technologies include capabilities developed by Shell and Crowley’s engineering services group to deliver LNG to various types of LNG containment systems.

Progress, dubbed the largest U.S. Jones Act-compliant vessel of its kind, will expand access to cleaner energy for ship operators at the Port of Savannah, Georgia, upon final commissioning there this month.

Shell NA LNG (Shell) signed a long-term agreement with Crowley to operate the barge, providing another fueling location for ships using liquefied natural gas.

“The Progress LNG bunker barge sets a new standard for quality and capability to serve the energy needs of the shipping industry,” said James C. Fowler, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Shipping.

“LNG offers a safe and reliable solution for ocean carriers that advances the transition to lower emissions. We congratulate the people whose dedication and hard work in designing and building this world-class vessel allowed us to reach this milestone for the U.S. industry and our customers.”

“Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding continues to be an industry leader in building LNG bunkering barges. We take tremendous pride in seeing another FBS-built vessel leave Sturgeon Bay to its new operational home port. I am proud of the work of our entire Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding team,” said Jan Allman, vice president and general manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.

LNG is the lowest carbon fuel currently available to shipping at scale, emitting up to 23% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (well-to-wake) compared to very/ultra-low sulfur fuel oil.

To remind, Crowley christened its all-electric tugboat eWolf at the Port of San Diego.