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WesPac Midstream LLC (WesPac), a provider of energy infrastructure and liquefied natural gas (LNG) solutions, and its affiliate Clean Marine Energy LLC (CME), a facilitator of tailored solutions for Emission Control Area (ECA) compliance, have announced a construction contract with Conrad Orange Shipyard, Inc., a division of Conrad Shipyard, LLC, to build the first dedicated LNG bunker barge for the North American marine market.

The 2,200-cubic-metre (cbm) barge is expected to be delivered in early 2016 and to initially be deployed in Tacoma, Washington, to service the Orca class ro-ro ships of shipowner Totem Ocean Trailer Express (Totem Ocean) - owned by TOTE, Inc., a subsidiary of Seattle-based Saltchuk Resources - in addition to other LNG-powered vessels.

Subsequently, the barge is scheduled to be relocated to Jacksonville, Florida, to serve TOTE's newbuild Marlin class container ships and other LNG-powered vessels in the Port of Jacksonville.

The LNG barge is to feature one tank equipped with MARK III Flex cargo containment technology from French engineering and technology company Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT).

Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. will be responsible for the vessel's design, with the American Bureau for Shipping (ABS) acting as the classification society.

The LNG bunker barge vessel is part of the WesPac/CME plan to provide an integrated LNG solution for engine conversion, infrastructure, supply, and delivery logistics to the shipping industry.

"As more U.S. Jones Act shipowners and operators seek to meet stringent 0.1 percent sulfur limits within ECAs by converting to LNG as a cleaner bunker fuel, WesPac/CME plans to exercise its options with Conrad to construct additional LNG fueling barges to serve other North American ports," the companies said in a joint statement.

Pace Ralli, CEO and co-founder of CME, commented: "A comprehensive LNG supply and distribution network for the marine market in North America is critical for the shipping industry. Today's announcement shows that WesPac/CME is taking the necessary steps to complete the LNG supply chain so shipowners can be assured LNG will be available when and where it is needed."

Peter Keller, executive vice president of TOTE, remarked: "We are pleased to work with our partners WesPac and CME on these groundbreaking LNG projects. This sophisticated new barge, constructed by Conrad and utilizing GTT membrane technology, will serve both our Orca class vessels as they are converted to LNG and the Marlins, the world's first LNG-dual-fueled container vessels. TOTE is committed to caring for the environment and the communities we serve and this barge will enable us to supply our ships with LNG, a cleaner alternative fuel."