Finnish technology group Wärtsilä has been selected to provide a broad scope of products and solutions for a new articulated tug barge (ATB).
The vessel will be used to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel to cruise ships along the east coast of Florida, USA. It will be the first fuelling barge with a Wärtsilä solution operating in US waters.
With a capacity of 4,000 m3, the ATB is being built at the VT Halter Marine (VTHM) shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi on behalf of Quality Liquefied Natural Gas Transport LLC (Q-LNG). When delivered, the vessel will be on a long-term charter with Shell Oil Co.
The ATB comprises a tug and a barge, which will be fitted with a Wärtsilä LNG cargo storage, handling, and control system. Wärtsilä will also supply the barge automation, power management, and ballast water management systems, as well the bow thruster.
The tug will include Wärtsilä main propulsion steerable thrusters and shaft lines, the Wärtsilä NACOS Platinum dynamic positioning system, the tug automation, as well as all navigation and communication equipment.
The order with Wärtsilä was booked in November 2017. Deliveries will continue throughout 2018 and 2019, and the vessel is scheduled to commence operations in 2020.