Unique LNG break-bulk barge underpins South Africa LNG bunkering operation

摘要

DNG Energy has identified a floating storage unit (FSU) with a capacity of 148,000 m~3 and will purchase an existing small-scale vessel with a capacity of 10,000 m~3 that also has bunkering capability to service marine customers. A third element of the operation involves a newbuild seagoing LNG barge that can transport 380 ISO containers of LNG. In 2018, DNG Energy contracted Southern African Shipyards to construct the unique vessel. DNG Energy founder and chief executive Aldworth Mbalati explains the barge will be used to transport LNG, where ISO containers can be moved by rail or truck to industrial and mining customers inland over a wide region. The idea is to replace more carbon-intensive fuels such as diesel with LNG to help reduce CO_2 and greenhouse gas emissions. "We have augmented our bunker operations with onshore customers to ensure we are financially robust from day one, which will underpin our bunkering business," says Mr Mbalati.