Nauticor and Fassmer start cooperation in LNG projects with bunkering operation

Both companies are leaders in establishing LNG as fuel for ships, with Nauticor comprehensively supplying LNG to marine customers in Northwest Europe, and Fassmer being an experienced shipyard for vessels with alternative propulsion concepts. Through the cooperation the two companies hope to generate synergy effects for the commissioning of newbuild or retrofitted vessels, which have been equipped with LNG engines and the respective system components.

Richard Schröder, CEO of Nauticor, is convinced that “the shipyard’s customers will significantly benefit from the cooperation between the two companies. In addition to the shipyard’s experience in building and retrofitting vessels with LNG engines the customers will benefit from Nauticor’s expert knowledge regarding sourcing, storage and transport of LNG, as well as our knowledge about executing LNG bunkering operations for vessels. This successful initial LNG bunkering operation for the Atair clearly illustrates the importance of cooperation for innovative projects, such as the first German research vessel running on LNG.”

Nauticor and Fassmer started working together back in 2015 when the newbuild ferry Helgoland, the first ferry with an LNG engine built in Germany, received its first LNG from Nauticor (then under the name Bomin Linde LNG) on the premises of Fassmer.

Accordingly, Fassmer’ s head of project, Christian Schmidt, was pleased to see the start of the cooperation: “As one of the few shipyards in Europe with experience in constructing of LNG-fuelled vessels, we notice a rising interest in newbuilds and retrofits equipped with environmentally-friendly propulsion. Due to the successful cooperation with Nauticor we have been able to prepare and conduct the LNG bunkering efficiently and safely. Thereby, additional incentives are created for shipping companies to use LNG as fuel. Not only do they benefit from the environmental advantages of LNG, but also from the economic gains generated by using the fuel.”

The first project to be conducted under the new cooperation was the commissioning and initial LNG bunkering of the research vessel Atair at the Fassmer shipyard on 6 February 2020. Fassmer was awarded the contract to build the new sea surveying, wreck search and research vessel for the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH). The vessel is supposed to enter service in 2020 and will replace the previous ship with that name. The Nauticor team was responsible for purchasing and transporting the LNG for the initial bunkering and supported Fassmer in the execution of the operation. Furthermore, Nauticor will ensure the supply of LNG throughout the whole LNG trial period.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/lng-shipping/14022020/nauticor-and-fassmer-start-cooperation-in-lng-projects-with-bunkering-operation/