A Shell-controlled LNG carrier has gone into a shipyard for planned modification work that will enable the ship to function as an LNG bunker vessel (LNGBV).
The Anthony Veder-owned, 7,500-cbm Coral Methane (built 2009) arrived at Remontowa Shiprepair Yard in Gdansk, Poland, at the end of last month.
The vessel has been working as a multipurpose small-scale LNG carrier for Gasnor, a subsidiary of energy major Shell.
Anthony Veder did not respond to requests for details of the work to be carried out on its vessel.
Shell revealed late last year that it planned to add bunkering capabilities to the Coral Methane.
Veder said at the time that the work on the ship would entail the integration of specific LNG bunker equipment, including the addition of a flexible hose. The company said this would be the first conversion of a small-scale LNG carrier to an LNGBV.
Shell said previously that the work would likely start this year and the vessel would be ready for bunkering duties in the southern North Sea and Mediterranean areas by mid-2018.
The major has been lining up a range of LNG bunkering solutions. Last year, the company took delivery of its first purpose-built LNGBV — the 6,500-cbm Cardissa (built 2017).
Shell also agreed a long-term charter agreement with US-based Q-LNG Transport for a 4,000-cbm LNG bunker barge that will be operated by Harvey Gulf International Marine to serve cruiseships calling at ports on the east coast of North America.
The company is also known to be working on an LNGBV project for Singapore.
