Finnish technology firm Wartsila has secured an order to deliver a comprehensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo storage and handling system for a 103m-long LNG Bunker barge.

With the construction to take place at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS), Wisconsin, US, the vessel will be built for Polaris New Energy (PNE).

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This will be the second vessel in a series of two barges to be constructed at the yard for PNE, with the same Wartsila offering ordered for both of the vessels.

FBS is expected to deliver the first barge this month.

Furthermore, Wartsila will supply the complete design for the system, along with all essential integration requirements.

The second barge will feature an elevated manifold for loading LNG from the terminals.

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Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding sales and marketing director Justin Slater said: “When delivered, these two barges will be the largest LNG bunker barges in the US, which further solidifies FBS’s reputation as the ‘go-to’ shipyard for LNG bunker vessels. We are very pleased to once again partner with Wartsila for this second PNE barge, and we thank them for the excellent way in which the first vessel project was executed.”

Wartsila Gas Solutions sales and marketing director Kjell Ove Ulstein said: “This repeat order comes based on the success of the first vessel’s cargo handling project, and Wartsila’s unmatched reputation for high-quality LNG system solutions.

“The North American maritime sector is increasingly turning to LNG fuel as a means to reduce its carbon footprint, and this project represents an important addition to the supply infrastructure. Our depth of experience certainly adds significant support to this trend.”

Under the scope of delivery, the company will provide four 1350m³ insulated LNG cargo tanks, the cargo control system, deepwell pumps, a ship-to-shore transfer system and a nitrogen generator.

Besides this, Wartsila will also supply all necessary safety equipment and systems, a custody transfer measurement system and the gas combustion unit.

The deliveries to the yard are slated to begin from November next year.

In addition, these two barges will have the capacity to supply fuel to ocean-going and inland waterway vessels running on LNG.

Recently, Wartsila Voyage signed a memorandum of understanding with Tianjin Port and the China Classification Society to further the development of intelligent ship technology in China.

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