Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) has, through its specialised shipbuilding arm, Keppel Singmarine, delivered its second dual-fuel tug capable of running on LNG. Built for Maju Maritime (which is merged operationally with Keppel Smit Towage) and named Maju Loyalty, the vessel was completed on time, within budget and with a perfect safety record, the company said in its press release.
Mr Abu Bakar, Managing Director (Gas & Specialised vessels) of Keppel O&M, said, "Leveraging our newbuild experience and capabilities in LNG, we were able to ensure the smooth execution and timely delivery of this project. This is the second dual-fuel tug built by Keppel O&M, and furthers our track record in the design and construction of cost and energy efficient LNG-fuelled vessels. The award-winning tug design is part of a suite of solutions that Keppel O&M can provide as the industry increasingly adopts LNG as a marine fuel."
The delivery of Maju Loyalty follows the completion of South East Asia and Singapore's first LNG-powered tug, KST Liberty, in May 2018 by Keppel O&M. Built to Keppel's award-winning proprietary design, both tugs offer economical operations, efficient fuel consumption, a simplified bunkering process, and smart designs which enhance safety and comfort. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore had provided co-funding of up to S$2 million for each tug as part of its LNG Bunkering Pilot Programme (LBPP) grant.
Mr Romi Kaushal, Managing Director of Maju Maritime and Keppel Smit Towage added, "This dual-fuel tug is a welcome addition to our fleet of tugboats as we look to do our part in reducing carbon dioxide & sulphur oxide emissions. It is a step in the right direction as the industry adjusts to the International Maritime Organisation's global cap of 0.5% on the sulphur content of marine fuel. This project is a testament to Keppel's innovation and reliability, and we look forward to furthering this partnership."
The dual-fuel tug is equipped with containerised, type-C ISO-certified LNG tanks on the main deck, as well as a patented LNG vaporiser which is compact and cost-effective. Re-fuelling of the LNG tanks can be done by truck to ship operations or replacing the empty tanks with replenished ones.
FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel O&M and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd., will be providing the LNG bunkering services for Maju Loyalty, while Shell will be supplying the LNG fuel.
Keppel O&M is able to offer solutions in both the demand and supply of LNG as fuel. On the supply side, FueLNG, a licensed LNG bunker supplier in Singapore providing safe truck and vessel bunkering solutions, is able to offer LNG bunkering. On the demand side, Keppel O&M has developed a suite of vessels that can run on LNG. It is currently building South East Asia's first LNG bunkering vessel, as well as dual-fuel LNG carriers and bunker tankers.
About Keppel Singmarine
Keppel Singmarine is the specialised shipbuilding arm of Keppel Offshore & Marine, with a track record of designing and building some 400 ships of various specifications and functions, spanning from Anchor Handling Tug/Supply vessels, Multi-Purpose Offshore Support vessels and tugboats to highly advanced solutions such as icebreakers and ice-class support vessels.
About Maju Maritime / Keppel Smit Towage
Maju Maritime Pte Ltd and Keppel Smit Towage Pte Ltd are joint ventures between Keppel and Royal Boskalis Westminster N.V. (Boskalis) that provide harbour assistance, marine support and coastal towage services. The two companies have a combined fleet of over 70 vessels, which range from 3000 to 5,600 bhp.