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In a press release from Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin, Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding has contracted to collaborate with PNE Marine Holdings (“PNE”), a Polaris New Energy (“Polaris”) company, to construct a second 5,500 cubic meter (CBM) LNG bunker barge. This new barge will be a sister ship to the LNG bunker barge Clean Canaveral, which is scheduled to arrive in Polaris in mid-November.
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is Fincantieri Marine Group‘s principal commercial business unit in the United States. On the contract announcement, FMG’s president and CEO, Dario Deste, stated, “Our team at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is once again demonstrating why they are the U.S. market reference point for LNG bunkering vessels.”
The need for a cost-effective supply of LNG to fuel the maritime sector is increasing quickly. Over the next few years, 400 new LNG-powered boats are projected to enter service. LNG is the leading choice for fueling the marine sector as the industry strives for greater sustainability through a shift to lower-carbon fuels. The new articulated tug and barge join Northstar’s increasing fleet of LNG delivery boats, which now transport LNG to cruise ships, container vessels, bulk carriers, car carriers, and tankers in operation or on order.
Four 1,375 CBM IMO Type C tanks will be installed on the 5,500 cubic meter ATB. It will make use of Wartsila’s freight handling technology, which was conceived and built by the company. The vessel will have 340′ overall length, 66′ beam, and 32′-10″ depth when finished. The ATB will be an ABS barge with Oceans Classification.
Todd Thayse, Vice President and General Manager of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, stated, “Thanks to our continued partnership with Northstar and its affiliate companies, we are amassing our extensive in-house expertise in the design and construction of LNG bunker barge capabilities.” Thayse continued, “As we begin constructing our second LNG bunker barge for Polaris, we are excited to bring the expertise of Fincantieri, our bunker barge design knowledge, and our passion for delivering the highest quality, on-time products to the LNG market. The hard-working, proud women and men of Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding will once again provide the quality and eventual on-time delivery the maritime industry has come to know and expect from our shipyards.”
Northstar’s Senior Vice President – LNG, Tim Casey, stated: “LNG is recognized as a clean, dependable and competitively priced fuel for the shipping industry. The completion of this sister vessel to the Clean Canaveral further distinguishes Northstar’s capabilities to manage the last-mile logistics of LNG safely and effectively across the US coastline. The new capacity will provide unmatched reliability and flexibility in the current market and is the next step in our strategy to create a complete platform of LNG logistical solutions for marine customers.”
Tim Casey continued, “We’re excited to be moving forward on the second barge with Fincantieri. They proved to be the right partners to build the Clean Canaveral. Despite the global challenges of the last two years, they have performed above expectations and we are confident that they’ll do the same with this second barge as they leverage their unmatched experience gained during the construction of the Clean Canaveral.”
PNE and Polaris are subsidiaries of Northstar Terminals, a portfolio company of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”).
