The 416’ liquified natural gas bunker barge Progress, described as “the largest U.S. Jones Act-compliant vessel of its kind,” was delivered to Crowley, Jacksonville, Fla., after construction was completed at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.
The Progress provide LNG fuel bunkering services for ship operators at the Port of Savannah, Ga., after upon commissioning there, according to a July 31 announcement from Crowley. Shell NA LNG, LLC, (Shell) signed a long-term agreement with Crowley to operate the barge.
“The Progress LNG bunker barge sets a new standard for quality and capability to serve the energy needs of the shipping industry,” said James C. Fowler, senior vice president and general manager, Crowley Shipping. “LNG offers a safe and reliable solution for ocean carriers that advances the transition to lower emissions. We congratulate the people whose dedication and hard work in designing and building this world-class vessel allowed us to reach this milestone for the U.S. industry and our customers.”
Designed by Crowley’s engineering services group, the barge has a capacity of 12,000 cubic meters (3.17 million gallons) “and features a transformative design, enabling efficient and dependable supply of LNG to fuel ships,” according to the company. Shell and Crowley’s engineering services group worked together to flexibly deliver LNG to various types of LNG containment systems.
"Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding continues to be an industry leader in building LNG bunkering barges. We take tremendous pride in seeing another FBS-built vessel leave Sturgeon Bay to its new operational home port. I am proud of the work of our entire Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding team," said Jan Allman, vice president and general manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding.
LNG is the lowest carbon fuel currently available to shipping at scale, emitting up to 23% less greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (well-to-wake) compared to very/ultra low sulfur fuel oil.
