We look back over our most read stories from the year to revisit the topics your reading habits revealed as key drivers in the maritime industry in 2020
LNG Shipping & Terminals’ most read story in 2020 concerned Total’s LNG project in Mozambique, which is also Africa’s single largest foreign direct investment project. Readers remained consistent in their focus on LNG projects throughout the year, also flocking to dispatches on a new LNG hub on North America’s west coast and the fact that floating LNG is taking off in the Mediterranean Sea. Rounding this list off is a detailed story about how Singapore is gearing up to become a leader in LNG bunkering. To read each story in full, click on the headline, the image or the link at the end of the text.
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1. New engineering contracts advance Mozambique LNG project
Global players descend to Mozambique to seek to commercialise the country’s LNG resources. Australian energy firm Worley signed an agreement with Total E&P Mozambique to provide engineering, consulting and specialist engineering to deliver onshore and offshore subsea facilities for the Mozambique LNG project which will have an initial capacity of 12.88 mta. The project is expected to come into production by 2024.
2. Tacoma: new LNG hub comes to North America’s west coast
A deepwater, major shipping hub in the US Pacific Northwest, the Port of Tacoma will soon be home to a new LNG facility capable of refuelling marine vessels. Jointly owned by Washington State utility Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and its commercial, sister company Puget LNG, Tacoma LNG has achieved several industry firsts since its ground-breaking on 1 November 2016.
One of these firsts is that when it opens in Q2 2021, Tacoma LNG will be the first LNG bunkering terminal on the west coast of North America. Moreover, it will serve a shared function, providing LNG for Puget LNG’s commercial customers, and the necessary natural gas reserves for PSE’s utility customers.
3. LNG production and cargo lifts suspended at Prelude FLNG
LNG production on the world’s largest FLNG, Prelude, was temporarily halted after an electrical trip issue was reported in early February. Australian offshore regulator NOPSEMA issued a direction to operator Shell after a number of events in 2019 and early 2020. NOPSEMA’s inspectors concluded there was a significant risk to the health and safety of staff at the facility.
4. Floating LNG ratchets up in the Mediterranean
Backed by billions of dollars in EU grants, new Mediterranean LNG FSRU-based infrastructure is emerging, offering energy security and decarbonisation.
5. Terminal and bunkering investments advance Singapore’s LNG ambitions
Singapore has plans to become a regional LNG powerhouse. These include expanding its portfolio of LNG and gas assets, upgrading its LNG terminal and bunkering infrastructure, and growing its LNG shipbuilding and repair industrial base.
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