Estonian energy company, Eesti Gaas and Damen Shipyards signed a contract for the construction of the first of a series of short-sea LNG bunker vessels to operate in the Baltic Sea.
The LGC 6000 LNG class vessel, is planned to be delivered in September 2020, and aims to boost the wider adoption of LNG as an alternative fuel in the North-east Baltic Sea, by providing ship-to-ship distribution service for the first time.
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The 100-metre vessel will carry 6,000m³ of LNG in two type-C tanks at -163° C. Currently, Eesti Gaas is refuelling the LNG fuelled RoPax vessel Megastar by truck. The LGC 6000 LNG will now resupply the ferry while she is alongside its regular berth, loading and unloading passengers and vehicles. Ports will also be spared the additional traffic generated by moving LNG by road.
The LGC 6000 LNG will meet the requirements of ICE class 1A certification and will be able to achieve green ship notation.
Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Eesti Gaas, stated:
With the introduction of the first LGC 6000 LNG scheduled for 2020, vessel operators in the region can now consider adopting LNG propulsion systems in their new and existing vessels, confident that they can access fast and efficient bunkering services.
