Bunkering

As of 1 January 2020, the International Marine Organization (IMO) enforced stricter emission requirements, with the grand aim of improving the environment and the health of the world's population. The aim is to curb sulphur emissions and have a mandatory requirement to switch to lower sulphur shipping fuels, with a 0.5 wt% global sulphur cap for marine fuels used in international shipping.

Owing to this factor, the LNG and renewables bunkering market is expected to witness significant growth in the years to come, as LNG is likely to be an economic and greener marine fuel alternative.

Discuss your bunkering project

Bunkering facilities

Many ports are investing heavily in LNG and renewable fuel infrastructure for bunkering purposes. With IMO catalysing change in the shipping industry, this creates a good basis for establishing an infrastructure of small- and medium-scale terminals, bunker vessels and trucks for supplying LNG as a bunker fuel.

New infrastructure can be costly, and the only way to improve return on investment is combining economies of scale, flexible migration strategies and innovative technical solutions to reduce overall investment risk.

Challenges with Bunkering

SIMOPS: Safety zones can be challenging for simultaneous bunkering when passengers and cargo are also transferring between ship and quay.
Available infrastructure: Existing ports with LNG bunkering facilities are unable to cater for small-scale vessels.
Real Estate: Existing ports are congested – any additional expansion with fixed infrastructure will be extremely challenging.
Cost: Bunkering facilities are costly and normally requires high customers in high volume so the return on investment is sufficiently attractive.

Bunkering nearshore

The IQuay™ can be used to bunker any size vessel nearshore, thus eliminating the need for trucks, bunker vessel or bunker station in port.
The IQuay can accommodate dual project applications from the same onshore or offshore terminal; unloading of LNG for gas-to-power, and loading capabilities when in bunkering mode, thereby supporting capacity balance at the terminal.
Nearshore bunkering effectively addresses the challenges of meeting international standards for LNG facilities and allows for a more rapid uptake of LNG or other renewable fuel types such as ammonia, as a marine fuel.

Bunkering in ports

Flexible: A fully floating system that can be retracted and stored when not in use.
Plug & Play: Turn-key bunkering infrastructure when combined with onshore storage.
Universal: The loading system can be connected to a range in ship sizes and can be painlessly implemented into existing terminals.
SIMOPS: The system isolates bunkering operations from the pier/quay area, hence increases safety for cargo operation and boarding of passengers.
Autonomous: Electrical thrusters for propulsion – no need for tugs.
Flexible: Insulated rigid pipes combined with flexible joints ensures that the LNG remains at cryogenic temperatures.

Cost-efficient: Significantly lower CAPEX compared to dedicated bunkering vessels.

ECONNECT Energy's Bunkering Solutions

The IQuay is designed for flexibility, so customers can combine Gas-to-Power with Bunkering operations in one single IQuay.

Distance from shore
50 - 800 m

Environment
Sheltered to harsh conditions

Flowrate
500 - 1,000 m3/h

Transfer lines
Floating flexible hoses

Vessel size
All

Design life
25 years

Our bunkering from quayside solution is suitable to a wide range of vessels and can be stored when not in use.

Distance from shore
Up to 300 m

Environment
Sheltered conditions

Flowrate
500 - 1,000 m3/h

Transfer lines
Rigid pipe

Vessel size
All

Design life
25 years

Floating Flexible Hoses

Field-proven cryogenic floating hoses with integrated leak system.
The flexible hoses can be provided from 6 to 20 inches in diameter.
Superior insulation ensures minimum boil-off gas generation throughout the system.
Hoses can be reeled onshore when not in operation.

Universal Attachment System

Vessels moored in less than 30 seconds.
Reduced vessel motion from swell, surge and passing ships.
Mooring teams not required - OPEX is minimal.
Reduced operating times for tugs and harbour pilots.

Unmanned during operation - remote controlled

All systems are remotely monitored and operated from the onshore control room.
Full overview of the process flow parameters and status of all main systems onboard.

Roughly 10-20hrs for loading and discharge

Process system will be sized according to the flow rate requirements of the client.
The time frame for loading and discharge is roughly 15-25 hrs depending on large or small-scale application.

Fully redundant ballast system

The ballast system enables the unit to follow the carrier vessel vertically during loading and unloading.
Remotely operated by the operator onshore.
100% redundancy ensures that any single failure event does not delay the operation.

Operational in significant wave height of 2 meters

The platform is optimised for minimum wave response, with extensive numerical and experimental modelling and research.
The vacuum attachment system further reduces motions when attached to the carrier vessel.

Power and signals via umbilical

A robust flexible floating umbilical provides power, signals and communication to the IQuay platform.
The umbilical runs parallel to the floating hoses, and can be reeled.
The IQuay platform is equipped with a UPS, which will keep critical systems live in case of loss of power from shore.

Minimum boil-off gas generation

Due to the superior insulation properties of the floating hoses, the boil off generation throughout the system is minimal.
Rigid piping and valves on the platform are also insulated to further reduce heat inleak.

Focus on Safety

The platform is equipped with an industry standard ship-shore-link system, which interlinks the ESD systems of the carrier vessel, the IQuay platform, and the terminal.
Fire, smoke and gas detectors are located throughout the unit, which will instantly trigger ESD and shut down process flow.

Talk to us about your project

Learn more about Jettyless Transfer

Traditional Jetty vs Jettyless

We take a look at traditional LNG import and export infrastructures and explain why jettyless can enable energy projects across the globe.

LNG Terminals

With several different types of terminal configurations, we give you the knowledge to secure the most competitive solution.

Floating Transfer Solutions

Energy sustainability and conservation of marine biodiversity are key to a healthier future. Learn more about what floating transfer solutions can accomplish.

A selection of our customers and industry partners

We are dedicated to realising and
de-risking your marine infrastructure project

ECOnnect Energy was born from first-hand experience with the challenges and inefficiencies of traditional LNG offloading methods from ship to shore. Our core offerings remove the need for fixed and permanent infrastructure such as quays, jetties, trestle structures and loading platforms.
‍
Dredging, which is expensive and damaging to coastal areas, can be eliminated with ECOnnect’s floating jettyless transfer solution.

About Us Case Study: Naturgy