Keppel delivers second bunkering carrier to Avenir LNG

Like the first Keppel vessel delivered to Avenir LNG, 7,500-m³ Avenir Accolade was built at Keppel Nantong Shipyard in China, and is equipped with engines that can run on both diesel and LNG.

The dual-fuel carrier can also function as an LNG bunkering vessel, making it the third such vessel Keppel has delivered. Keppel O&M’s technology arm Offshore Technology Development also installed and commissioned the vessel’s ballast water treatment system.

Avenir Accolade is designed to support small-scale LNG distribution and bunkering and will enter a three-year bareboat charter to LNG Power Limited, a subsidiary of Hygo Energy Transition, and be used to deliver LNG to various ports across Brazil.

Marking the milestone, Avenir LNG chief executive Peter Mackey said “2021 is a transformational year for Avenir LNG as we commission our onshore LNG terminal in Sardinia in the coming weeks and continue to expand our fleet with the addition of four more newbuild vessels by year-end.”

Keppel said the delivery is part of the company’s growing portfolio in the natural gas market. The company has previously delivered Avenir Advantage, southeast Asia’s first LNG bunkering vessel and K-Line managed FueLNG Bellina, Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel.

At present, the Singapore-based shipbuilder is building dual-fuel container ships, dredgers and bunkering vessels. In addition, Keppel O&M is also promoting LNG as a marine fuel through FueLNG, its joint venture with Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd, which provides safe truck and vessel LNG bunkering solutions in Singapore.