On 16 May, JAX LNG, a liquefied natural gas facility located at Dames Point in Jacksonville, Florida, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the official start-up of the newly constructed plant. JAX LNG is the first small-scale LNG facility in the US with both marine and truck-loading capabilities.
The facility was constructed through a joint venture between Pivotal LNG and NorthStar Midstream (NorthStar).
Currently, the JAX LNG facility has the capacity to produce 120,000 gallons of LNG per day and store more than 2 million gallons of LNG.
In addition to marine and trucking companies, the JAX LNG plant is positioned to serve other industries, including rail, drilling, mining, power generation, commercial and industrial.
The aim is to reduce shipping emissions by transforming the US’ energy landscape, said Tim Hermann, president of Pivotal LNG.
There is room at the site to expand the facility and add two liquefaction trains and a second storage tank which would increase LNG production capacity to 600,000 gallons per day and store up to 4 million gallons.
JAX LNG can use its advantaged location on the water to service its maritime customers via LNG carriers.
NorthStar is owned by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
Construction of the JAX LNG facility began in late 2016.
Achievements so far include the first-of-its-kind, ship-to-ship bunkering operations in the US and loading of TOTE Maritime’s Clean Jacksonville, the first LNG bunker barge built in the US.
JAX LNG is also the long-term supplier of LNG to the world’s first LNG dual-fuel container ships, the Isla Bella and Perla del Caribe, operated by TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico.