We look back over our most read stories from the first three months of the year to revisit the topics your reading habits revealed as key drivers in the maritime industry in Q1 2020
LNG Shipping & Terminals’ most read story was about Total’s LNG project in Mozambique which is also Africa’s single largest foreign direct investment. Readers also flocked to our dispatches on developments on LNG carriers including potential contracts for newbuilds, retrofits and safety incidents on board the world’s largest FLNG. 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.
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 12.88mta. The project is expected to come into production by 2024.
2. South Korean shipyard eyes US$3Bn LNG carrier order
Samsung Heavy Industries is eyeing a large order for LNG carriers after Novatek, Russia’s largest independent gas carrier asked the Russian Government to approve a plan to place an order for 10 ice-breaking LNG carriers worth US$3Bn at an “overseas” yard.
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. US pioneer moves ahead with milestone LNG conversion
Tote Maritime Alaska is undertaking a multi-year conversion of two coastal roll-on-roll-off vessels, refitting the ships’ four diesel engines to burn LNG.
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.