Cryopeak LNG and Sumitomo to develop bunker fuels supply chain

Cryopeak LNG Solutions and Sumitomo Corporation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to jointly develop a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker fuels supply chain in North America.

The MoU is for the development of the LNG bunker fuels supply chain in Pacific Northwest ports such as Vancouver, Fraser River Port, Roberts Bank, and Prince Rupert, Canada.

Cryopeak is in the process of developing a “proprietary” design for a 4,000m³ LNG bunkering barge to be used in an articulated tug and barge (ATB) configuration.

It is expected to be operational in 2023.

Cryopeak CEO Calum McClure said: “Cryopeak is excited to collaborate with Sumitomo Corporation to further LNG bunkering activity in North America. Both companies are driven by a desire to make purposeful and significant contributions to environmental improvement and sustainability.

“Offering a safe and efficient LNG bunkering solution is critical to the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel to the shipping industry.”

Under the MoU, Sumitomo will provide end-to-end LNG fueling solutions of Cryopeak to potential customers in ports on the West Coast of North America.

Sumitomo department general manager Shu Nakamura said: “We are very proud that the cooperation between Cryopeak and Sumitomo is paving the way towards the development of LNG as a cleaner marine fuel, especially in Vancouver, one of the most eco-friendly ports in the world.

“With this agreement, we pursue our ambition to build a comprehensive network of LNG bunkering. It also underscores our commitment to offer our customers the best available and technologically proven solution to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport.”

Cryopeak is an LNG distributor that operates a fleet of 16 tankers in Canada.

In July, Cryopeak LNG Solutions completed the ‘largest ever’ truck delivery of LNG in the Northwest Territories (NWT) of Canada.

In April, Cryopeak LNG Solutions started the construction of a new LNG production facility in Fort Nelson, British Columbia, Canada.