Hamburg-based shipyard develops LNG bunker barge

Having an LNG bunker capacity of 100m³ to 900m³, the TB-X barge will be operating from Hamburg, Kiel and Lübeck, and can reach all LNG distribution hubs in Hamburg and the Netherlands, transporting LNG to the Baltic and North seas.
After a development period of about one year, the shipyard completed the design and concept of its LNG bunker barge series TB-X in close cooperation with the Marine Service GmbH as a turnkey supplier for the LNG system.
The first design has been determined as a push barge; however, according to the shipyard it is very easy to adjust the barge in accordance with the individual demands of the customers. The LNG bunkering barge can be equipped with a self-propelled propulsion system or delivered as a jack-up version as well as a stationary LNG fuel station for port applications.
“When we started the development and design of our TB-X LNG barge, we expected that it will become equally interesting for port authorities and operators, bunker companies, offshore companies and shipping lines. Once in operation, the bunker barge will serve the dual purpose of moving LNG from the supply source to coastal-based storage and distribution terminals as well as directly bunkering all sizes and types of ships. Based on our design we plan to serve and facilitate the globally growing marine demand for LNG,” said Stephan Aumann, managing director of the shipyard Theodor Buschmann.
Two port operators as well as port authorities in Germany have already announced high interest in the barge and initial contract discussions are set, Aumann added.