Fendercare Marine Provides Support Services for LNG STS Operations

Fendercare Marine has provided STS support services for the first open sea’s Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) STS operations for two of the world’s leading Gas Majors.

Fendercare Marine has carried out STS operations since 1995 and annually conduct almost 3,000 STS operations globally from over 45 STS locations across the world.

The LNG STS operations were performed in the Eastern Mediterranean with a number of 152,000 cm3 membrane tank Liquefied Natural Gas Carriers (LNGC), and most recently a 135,000 cm3 moss type carrier; all delivering cargo to one of Excelerate Energy’s 138,000 cm3 Floating Storage & Regasification Unit (FSRU). These were the first open sea LNG STS operations for either major.

Fendercare Marine is the world’s largest operator of genuine Yokohama brand pneumatic fenders and supplied Yokohama Jumbo fenders for the operations, in conjunction with additionally supplied ship-specific mooring equipment and a dedicated rigger to assist with the secure mooring and unmooring of the oil major LNGCs. Furthermore, two large ASD tugs provided assistance as well as guard duties ensuring the operations were extradited without interruption.

Fendercare Marine facilitated sessions in their UK simulator to mirror the predicted sea states they would face which, in turn, provided the necessary feedback to assist in tailoring a mooring system to suit. Further simulator sessions allowed for extensive testing of various emergency break away situations.

In addition to STS services, Fendercare Marine offers a turnkey service for the operation and management of onshore and offshore marine terminals, supplying pilotage and Mooring Master provision for tandem and CALM buoy berthing, CALM buoy inspection and maintenance, product supply, AHT provision & management, diving & ROV services, as well as hose management, supply and change out.

Fendercare Marine, January 30, 2014; Image: SPT