Norway’s Skangas Joins SEALNG Coalition

Norwegian LNG provider Skangas has joined SEALNG, a multi-sector industry coalition aiming at accelerating the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.

As the 34th member of the coalition, Skangas is expected to contribute to SEALNG’s vision — the creation of a competitive global LNG value chain for cleaner maritime shipping by 2020.

Skangas brings industry knowledge of LNG production and sourcing, and the construction of key LNG infrastructure for marine deliveries, from land-based infrastructure to LNG bunkering vessels (LNGBVs). Among its fleet is the bunkering vessel Coralius, which conducts ship-to-ship operations primarily in the North and Baltic Seas.

The Coralius is one of six LNGBVs currently in operation – three of which have been commissioned by SEALNG members – while another thirteen are in development.

“When the Coralius began operating last fall, it marked a major turning point for the market. Ship-to-ship bunkering is central to supporting the maritime industry’s interest in using LNG as a marine fuel; the flexibility of the operations allows vessels to access LNG at higher transfer rates in a vastly expanded geographic area. In joining SEALNG, we hope to connect with like-minded industry leaders to optimise the LNG value chain across the shipping industry,” Kimmo Rahkamo, CEO of Skangas, said.

“Skangas will be a valued addition to our growing coalition. We’re proud that our members have individually operated at the forefront of the industry, creating landmark developments in the supply and operation of LNG bunkers,” Peter Keller, SEALNG chairman and executive vice president, TOTE Inc., commented.

“Together, the coalition cooperates to inspire change and create a driving force behind the uptake of LNG as an environmentally and commercially important fuel. Collaboration, demonstration, and communication on key areas such as safety, regulation, emissions, and the economic case are essential to providing the confidence and demand required for an effective and efficient global LNG value chain,” Keller added.

SEALNG unites industry players from major LNG suppliers, downstream companies, shipping companies, infrastructure providers, and shipyards, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), classification societies, port authorities, shipbrokers, and financial institutions, to address the commercial barriers to LNG, particularly in the deep-sea shipping segment.