Veka and Deen Shipping LNG joint venture

Veka Group and Deen Shipping recently signed a collaboration agreement that is seen as a significant step forward in the development of inland LNG transport and in providing bunkering facilities for LNG fuelled shipping in the Benelux ports.

The new company, Veka Deen LNG, has already developed designs for LNG inland waterway tankers and the first has a capacity of 2,250m3. Larger designs with up to 3,000m3 capacity will also be offered. These designs have had significant safety features incorporated to meet the stringent demands of the inland waterway authorities. The first design has a length overall of 90m.

Deen Shipping is mainly an operator of inland waterway vessels and notable amongst its fleet is the Argonon, the first inland vessel to operate on a dual fuel system combining LNG and diesel fuels. Built with EC grants, the Argonon operates on a fuel comprising 80% LNG and 20 % diesel and it is likely that the new LNG tanker designs will use a similar system, using the boil off gas from the cargo tanks.

The Veka Group is mainly a ship building group combining a number of shipyards that cover a wide spectrum of expertise. Their LNG experience extends to the construction of the Pioneer Knutsen, an LNG coastal tanker 69m in length and with a 1,100m3 capacity. The engines on this vessel operate on cargo boil-off gas.

The first result of the collaboration will be a 90m LNG inland waterway tanker and this is likely to operate from one of two LNG terminals, one in Belgium at Zeebrugge which is currently operational and one at Massvlakte in Rotterdam which is currently under construction. Vessels for LNG bunkering are likely to be developed at a later date when demand rises.

Further information: www.veka-group.nl, www.deenshipping.com

By Dag Pike