By
Alex Smith |
Q-LNG 4000, a ship-to-ship articulated tug and bunker barge (ATB), has arrived at Port Canaveral, making it the first port in the USA to be able to offer LNG fuel to visiting cruise vessels.
The barge was constructed in cooperation with LNG fuel supplier Shell Trading Company and transport specialist Q-LNG Transport. She arrived at Port Canaveral for a sailing and berthing familiarisation exercise, docking at the newly constructed Cruise Terminal 3.
“This project has been four years from concept to reality and we are excited to welcome the Q-LNG 4000 to fuel the next generation of cruise ships,” said John Murray, CEO of Canaveral Port Authority. “We have been working closely with our cruise partners, all the federal and state regulatory agencies, and industry leaders to promote this industry initiative.”
The barge is 324 feet long, with a 128-feet-long attached tug. The vessel was constructed at VT Halter Marine shipyards in Mississippi, USA, and is the first ATB built in the USA specifically designed to carry out LNG cargo and bunker operations. She will have capacity for up to 4,000 cubic metres of LNG and will carry enough supply to fuel two cruise ships for a seven-day itinerary.
The bunkering process will take place during a ship’s passenger embarkation process and last approximately six to eight hours. The barge will load LNG from a fuel distribution facility on Elba Island, Georgia, returning each time to refuel following a bunkering operation.
“LNG is the fuel of the future, it’s clean, less expensive and made right here in the USA,” said Wayne Justice, Canaveral Port Authority Commission chairman. “We are proud to be part of making this safe secure move to the future in this region.”