Nigeria LNG Limited’s shipping arm, Bonny Gas Transport (BGT), has awarded contracts for the construction of three brand-new liquefied natural gas vessels to Chinese shipbuilders Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) Co. Limited and China Shipbuilding Trading Co. Limited — marking a defining step in the company’s programme to modernise its fleet and keep Nigeria’s gas export infrastructure at the cutting edge of global standards.
Each of the three newbuild vessels will carry a cargo capacity of 174,000 cubic metres and will be equipped with advanced X-DF (dual-fuel) propulsion technology, which delivers significantly improved fuel efficiency and substantially lower emissions compared with older vessel designs. The vessels are configured to comply with global and European Union emissions regulations and will help NLNG maintain its coveted OGMP 2.0 Level 5 rating — the highest standard in the Oil and Gas Methane Partnership framework, which reflects world-class methane management practices.
Delivery of all three vessels is scheduled for 2029, at which point they will be chartered by NLNG and managed by NLNG Shipping and Marine Services Limited (NSML), the group’s integrated maritime services company. The new ships form part of BGT’s broader fleet renewal and replacement programme, designed to ensure the company retains a modern, efficient and environmentally compliant fleet capable of serving NLNG’s global LNG trade routes well into the next decade.
The award carries strategic significance well beyond vessel replacement. Nigeria is Africa’s largest LNG exporter and one of the top global suppliers of liquefied natural gas. Keeping its shipping infrastructure modern and compliant with tightening international environmental standards is critical to maintaining the country’s competitive position in a global LNG market that is rapidly shifting toward lower-emission operations.
NLNG said the new vessels would further strengthen the company’s ability to deliver cleaner energy to the world and underpin its commitment to sustainability and operational excellence.
Source: orientalnewsng.com