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FueLNG, a joint venture between Keppel and Shell Eastern Petroleum (Pte) Ltd (Shell), has completed the first commercial LNG bunker delivery in Singapore by performing a landmark truck-to-ship supply for the floating liquefaction vessel (FLNGV) Hilli Episeyo.

The LNG bunker transfer, which was carried out in batches and completed on September 23, was previously referred to by Golar LNG Ltd (Golar LNG), operator of the Hilli Episeyo, in August, when the company said that the vessel would be bunkered with LNG in September - ahead of its maiden departure.

The FLNGV is scheduled to depart from Singapore for Cameroon between the end of September and October, with the voyage between South East Asia and West Africa expected to take 32 to 40 days.

According to FueLNG, the bunker delivery was conducted in accordance with the Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC) Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR 56), which provides a safe, efficient and sustainable technical framework for LNG bunkering operations.

"This marks the first LNG trucking operation for FueLNG, following the facilitation of Singapore LNG's (SLNG) successful gas-up/cool-down and reload operation at its Jurong Island terminal of the Cardissa, Shell's LNG bunker vessel, in June 2017. FueLNG is committed to building the LNG bunkering industry in Singapore, and is working with relevant local authorities to provide safe truck and vessel bunkering solutions," FueLNG said.

Michael Chia, chairman of FueLNG Ltd, remarked: "This is an exciting milestone for FueLNG as we establish ourselves as a safe, cost-efficient and reliable LNG bunker supplier. The development of proven LNG bunkering infrastructure will give confidence to the industry that LNG can be widely adopted as a marine fuel and is sustainable for the long-term."

FueLNG Ltd is one of two companies to be awarded an LNG bunker supplier licence by the Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) - together with Pavilion Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pavilion Energy.

FueLNG has also secured contracts from Keppel Smit Towage and Maju Maritime to provide LNG bunkering services for two dual-fuel LNG harbour tugs. These contracts are due to commence in 2018 when construction of the tugs is completed.

To promote Singapore as an LNG bunker-ready port, the MPA commenced its LNG bunkering pilot programme (LBPP) earlier this year. Under the LBPP, the MPA has provided various companies with grants of up to S$2 million per LNG-powered vessel constructed.

Andrew Tan, chief executive of the MPA, said: "This successful operation by FueLNG attests to Singapore's ability to provide safe, efficient, and reliable LNG bunkering in the Port. Furthermore, we are pleased to note that the operation was carried out based on the recently launched Singapore Technical Reference for LNG Bunkering (TR56). As the leading bunkering port in the world, MPA is committed to cater to the future energy needs of the global shipping industry via cleaner, alternative sources of fuels such as LNG. We will continue to work closely with our stakeholders to develop our capabilities in preparation for a larger uptake of LNG bunkering in the future."

Image: The floating liquefaction vessel (FLNGV) Hilli Episeyo during its naming ceremony in July 2017.