The world’s largest LNG bunker vessel will enhance the LNG logistic chain for Klaipėdos Nafta (KN) in the Baltic Sea region.
LNG feeder and bunker vessel Kairos has started its first reload operation in Klaipėda. Next to the German LNG supplier Nauticor one of the ship’s charterers is oil and LNG terminal operator Klaipėdos Nafta (KN).
The new 117-metre-long vessel will be used to load LNG from the FSRU based in the Klaipėda LNG Terminal to the onshore LNG reloading station located at the gateway of the Port of Klaipėda.
“Having launched the operation of Kairos, we will assure more competitive service prices for users of the LNG reloading station and position KN as a company offering the whole LNG supply chain to its clients. This will not only reduce the price of the LNG supply chain, but also will assure a smooth and prompt service provision for users of the reloading station,” Mindaugas Jusius, CEO of KN, said.
Kairos is expected to enter the Klaipėda port at least once every two months and perform LNG reloading operations there. For the remaining time the vessel will be used by German company Nauticor, which is planning to use the vessel to supply LNG to various marine customers as well as LNG terminals in the North Sea and Baltic Sea area.
The LNG reloading station, which launched its activities at the end of last year, allows a more efficient use of the LNG terminal. The possibility for bunkering LNG-powered vessels from the reloading station, loading small-sized cargoes to vessels and semitrailers assures an extensive LNG supply chain across the whole region thus creating added value for Lithuania.
The LNG bunkering and reloading infrastructure will be of high relevance in 2020, when global restrictions will be imposed on emissions of sulphur dioxide from shipping to the atmosphere. Merchant vessels using heavy fuel oil will have to search for more ecological alternatives, out of which LNG is considered to be one of the most efficient.
For more information visit www.kn.lt
14th January 2019
