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Shipping - LNG TRANSPORTATION

EXMAR has over 30 years of experience in the transportation of LNG since the long-term time charter of the 131,000 m³ METHANIA was concluded with Belgian natural gas distributor Distrigas NV in the late 1970s. At the end of the 1990's a foreseen increase in demand for LNG together with attractive newbuilding prices enabled EXMAR to make a major expansion in this area. A series of 138,000 m³ LNG carriers was ordered at Korean shipyard Daewoo (DSME). The first 138,000 m³ vessel EXCALIBUR was delivered in October 2002 and the sister ship EXCEL entered service in September 2003.

As a result of the excellent technical cooperation between DSME and EXMAR and drive for the development of innovative solutions, EXMAR decided to order two LNG regasification vessels ("LNGRV") in 2002.

EXMAR was the first company to order and build an LNGRV, with delivery in 2005, and has consequently built up significant knowledge and experience in the ownership, management and operation of regasification vessels around the world.

An LNGRV is a trading vessel with regasification and storage facility on board, making possible the discharge of natural gas at sea without the need to visit a port or terminal. The floating regasification technology provides a flexible and convenient entry to otherwise non-accessible gas markets.

The LNGRV's load the LNG cargoes in the same manner as traditional LNG carriers at conventional loading terminals. Eight vessels are currently fitted with this regasification technology which enables the liquefied natural gas, shipped at a temperature of -163°C, to be heated up and unloaded in gaseous form.

Apart from the technical development and building since the delivery of the first LNG regasification vessel, EXMAR has trained very competent regasification crews, carried out studies and established the operating procedures for the regasification vessels and thus enabled EXMAR to operate these complex regasification vessels entirely in-house.

Once the LNGRV is loaded, there are three distinct ways of discharging the LNG cargo:
  • as liquid at a traditional LNG regasification terminal,
  • as gas via a buoy based STL system that is anchored to the seabed and can be attached to the bottom of the vessel. The gas is then pumped down pipes to the coast.
  • via the onboard high pressure gas manifold that connects to dockside off-loading arm.
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