KOREA LNG BUNKERING

Korea LNG BUNKERING, a subsidiary of KOGAS, has successfully executed Ship to Ship (STS) LNG bunkering for a LNG-powered vessel from the 4th to 6th of May, 2021.

KOREA LNG BUNKERING Co. Ltd (KOLB), founded by KOGAS in December 2020, is a sole provider of LNG bunkering services in South Korea. With the success of STS bunkering, KOLB has proven that it is capable of offering all of the LNG bunkering options. KOLB is currently operating one bunkering vessel with one additional vessel under construction scheduled to be operative in early 2023.

KLOB deployed its Asia’s first dual purpose LNG bunker/carrier vessel “Jeju 2” for STS bunkering. The bunker vessel loaded LNG from Tong Yeong Port on May 3 and made its voyage to Geoje ship building yard on May 4, where it delivered 4,400㎥ (approximately 2,000 tons) of LNG fuel to a recently-built 180k LNG carrier owned by a greek company GASLOG.

To ensure a successful and safe STS bunkering, KLOB conducted thorough preparatory work including risk assessment and the installation of safety equipment, and closely cooperated with Korea Register of Shipping, Samsung Heavy Industry, and Korea Shipping throughout the entire bunkering process.

With this success of STS bunkering following TTS and PTS bunkering operations last January, KLOB has laid its technical and commercial foundation to be an eco-friendly marine fuel provider with every bunkering option ready including STS.

The availability of STS bunkering is meaningful for shipbuilders in particular, because STS bunkering enables them to commission newly-built LNG carriers at their shipyards, expediting the shipbuilding schedule.

The recent success of STS bunkering is expected to catalyze LNG bunkering business targeting domestic and international shipbuilders and ship operators, while contributing to increasing demand for LNG-powered vessels and improving air quality over the long term.