Skangas delivers fuel change to LNG in open sea

For the first time, Skangas’ vessel Coralius, first LNG bunkering vessel built in Europe, both cooled down tanks and delivered liquefied natural gas (LNG) in one operation, at Danafjord outside Gothenburg, on 7-8 October.

As explained, this bunkering of Navigator Aurora was different from previous bunkering operations, since it included the cool down operation. Going from using diesel oil to LNG requires a cooling down operation of the receiving ship’s fuel gas tanks from ambient conditions to minus 160 degrees.

The receiving vessel LEG/C Navigator Aurora was supplied with just under 500 mt LNG in the middle of a voyage between Sweden and South Europe. The first operation lasted less than 24 hours with the transfer of the main parcel requiring 6 hours.

    Tommy Hjälmås, Director of Newbuilds and Special Projects at Navigator Gas, stated: “The LNG cooling and bunker operation is a first for us and we spent lots of time in the planning and execution with all stakeholders to get it right. We are very happy with the result and hope to be able to use the experiences we have gained to support the industry also going forward.”