Keppel Corp has confirmed that it will convert an LNG carrier into an floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) for an LNG-to-power project in El Salvador.
The contract was signed with FSRU Development Pte Ltd, a joint venture company between Singapore’s BW Gas and Invenergy Investment Co.
Keppel, which claims to have converted the world’s first FSRU in 2008, said this latest project will be its fifth such conversion.
Few other details such as the name of the LNG carrier involved and the timeline for the conversion were disclosed by the Singapore-listed shipyard group.
In mid-July, TradeWinds reported that the former Shell-built, 137,001-cbm LNG carrier Gallina (built 2002) had been selected for the project and had arrived in Singapore for the conversion.
The Moss-type LNG carrier has since been renamed BW Tatiana and is currently berth alongside Keppel’s shipyard in Singapore, according to AIS data.
“Keppel’s partnership with the BW Group has grown from strength to strength, having worked together on more than 10 projects, including FPSO and FSRU conversions,” Keppel Offshore & Marine chief executive Chris Ong said.
“Amidst the challenges of dealing with Covid-19, we have put in place measures across all our operations, whether in Singapore or the US, to ensure that work is conducted in both a responsible and efficient manner so that we can deliver the vessels safely, on time, and within budget.”
News of the FSRU conversion contract was announced alongside a newbuilding order in the US for a trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD) for Manson Construction Co.
The TSHD, which will have a hopper capacity of 15,000 cubic yards, will be the first dredger built at Keppel AmFELS’ yard in Brownsville, Texas.
The vessel, which will be Jones Act compliant, will operate primarily on the Gulf coast and Atlantic coast of the US, Keppel said.
Keppel added that the combined value of the two contracts was SGD 200m ($147m). It did not break down the value of each contract.
