SamueLNG project commences

S/F SamueLNG (Spanish/French Sustainable Atlantic Motorways of the Seas Using as Fuel for Engine LNG) is lead by French Dragages Ports (DP), and is supported by a consortium of 12 partners along the Atlantic Arch, representing France, Spain and the Netherlands. The partners working alongside DP are five public authorities (Nantes-Saint Nazaire, Le Havre, Rouen, Port Authority of Gijon and Port Authority of Vigo), two ship engineering and design companies (Inova and Ghenova), two energy supply companies (Energias de Portugal and Gas Natural Fenosa), a short sea shipping company (Suardiaz) and an international dredging association (CEDA).

The project is the first phase of the Global Project ‘Towards a Blue Atlantic Arch by 2025’. The overall project aims to improve marine traffic sustainability by using LNG as marine fuel for small vessels.

Over the next three years, the S/F SamueLNG project will cover a number of key activities, including the following:

• LNG retrofit of DP’s 8500 m³ trailing suction hopper dredger, Samuel de Champlain, from marine gas oil (MGO) to a dual-source fuel engine system.
• LNG bunkering studies. These will include a risk assessment in the port of Nantes Saint-Nazaire, a mobile bunkering unit in the Port of Gijon, and a floating device in the Port of Vigo (in conjunction with each of the port’s partners).
• Environmental Impact Assessment studies in the Ports of Rouen, Le Havre and Nantes Saint-Nazaire.
• Training staff that will be involved in LNG operations in the Ports of Nantes-Saint Nazaire and Rouen.
• Dissemination of the results to the maritime community by CEDA.

The project started work at the meeting in Gijon to agree on schedules, which will be disseminated to all interested parties in due course. The EU tendering process (to decide which shipyard will carry out the LNG conversion) will commence soon.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/liquid-natural-gas/02022017/samuelng-project-commences/