Charterers TotalEnergies and Pavilion Energy along with shipowner Mitsui OSK Lines have named what is set to become Singapore’s largest LNG bunker vessel (LNGBV).
Pavilion said the 12,000-cbm specialised newbuilding Brassavola, which is the first LNGBV to be built by Singapore’s Sembcorp Marine, is scheduled to go into operation in the first quarter of 2023.
Pamela Heng, who is married to Pavilion’s chief executive Alan Heng, named the ship in a ceremony at the yard.
Brassavola, which is named after a species of orchid ― the national flower of Singapore, was originally due for handover in mid-2021.
The new LNGBV is fitted with two Mark III membrane-type tanks.
It has a loading and bunkering rate of up to 2,000-cbm per hour and has on-board reliquefaction for more efficient boil-off gas management which is designed to cut wastage and reduce carbon emissions.
Under a long-term agreement with Pavilion Energy, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels will also be employing Brassavola to supply LNG bunker to its customers, Pavilion said.
The two charterers of the LNGBV, along with Shell, are the three licensed suppliers of LNG bunkers in the Port of Singapore.
The LNGBV is owned by MOL.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore assistant chief executive officer for operation Captain Segar said: “We look forward to having Brassavola join our bunkering fleet, as the Port of Singapore continues to build up our capability as an LNG bunkering hub to help the maritime industry in its decarbonisation journey.”
TotalEnergies Marine Fuels new vice president Louise Tricoire said Brassavola “exemplifies the company’s resolution to support its shipping customers’ decarbonisation ambition and to contribute to the country’s long-term strategies to build a sustainable Maritime Singapore.
She said the company “eagerly awaits” the LNGBV’s imminent operational deployment and to offer its expanded supply network of this cleaner marine fuel, to LNG-powered vessels that call at Singapore, Rotterdam and Marseille.”
Heng commented: “The Brassavola will play a pivotal role in Singapore’s decarbonisation of its maritime industry and provide greater flexibility, efficiency and transparency to our customers.”
