Keppel to Build Two More Carriers for Stolt-Nielsen
Singapore shipbuilder Keppel Offshore & Marine (Keppel O&M) said October 7 it has agreed to build two additional small-scale LNG carriers for Stolt-Nielsen.
Keppel O&M’s wholly-owned subsidiary Keppel Singmarine, has signed two additional contracts with Stolt-Nielsen Gas, a subsidiary of Stolt-Nielsen, following the exercise by Stolt-Nielsen Gas of its options to build two additional small-scale LNG carriers worth a total of around S$105mn (US$76mn). In May 2017, Keppel Singmarine and Stolt-Nielsen Gas had signed a contract to built two carriers with an option for three more. Although, first option lapsed in November 2017, Stolt-Nielsen Gas has decided to exercise the second and third options.
"These LNG carriers will be the 4th and 5th vessels capable of LNG bunkering as well as the 11th and 12th LNG powered vessels that Keppel will be building. We look forward to furthering this track record as the industry increasingly adopts LNG as a marine fuel,” Abu Bakar, managing director (gas & specialised vessels), Keppel O&M, said.
Similar to its preceding two units, the two LNG carriers will each have a capacity of 7,500m3, and come equipped with engines that can run on both diesel and LNG. To be completed in 4Q2020 and 1Q2021 respectively, the carriers will have a class notation for bunkering which enables the provision of LNG bunkering services if required, Keppel said.