FuelBoss is a new online LNG bunkering platform, supporting operators from order to delivery. Credit: DNV GL.

Norwegian ship classification organisation DNV GL has introduced a new online liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering platform to support operators from order to delivery.

The platform called FuelBoss helps ship owners, operators and suppliers to use a single platform to nominate, schedule and spot inquiries and gather business intelligence.

Gasum, Cryo Shipping and Nauticor will use the platform in a pilot project and have also provided their expertise and knowledge during the platform development.

DNV GL – Maritime senior vice-president Trond Hodne said: “The idea behind FuelBoss is to accelerate the uptake of LNG in the maritime industry by providing suppliers with a highly efficient tool for managing all their customers and day-to-day operations while offering ship operators a common interface for interacting with LNG suppliers.

“FuelBoss will standardise and simplify daily work processes and enable the LNG fuel industry to reap the benefits of digitalisation.”

FuelBoss is available for everyone and allows users to order bunker volumes according to term contracts, following a standardised format.

It also helps to track changes and monitor assets, offers an integrated messaging service and supports the digital filling, signing and archiving of forms and documentation.

In addition, FuelBoss helps to spot inquiries outside term contracts. Users can monitor LNG-fuelled ships and LNG bunker vessels via AIS feed that displays live and old data using a map overview.

The platform uses software developed by Teqplay, a maritime supply chain specialist. The software was previously used and validated by Shell and its customers for one year.

Hodne added: “At the moment, both the interest in and the number of vessels using LNG is growing rapidly but the bunkering picture is still fragmented. Delivery costs can be a significant part of the delivered LNG price, so optimising the supply chain is essential. FuelBoss will let LNG suppliers and shipowners reap the network benefits of having a single platform for this growing market.”

The platform is scheduled to launch in April. Companies that are interested can sign up for the beta version.