NORTHERN MARINE AT THE FOREFRONT OF LNG SHIPBUILDING ACTIVITY IN SOUTH KOREA
The delivery of a record number of newbuild Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) carrier vessels is projected to take place in 2024 with South Korea the major hub for development.
Northern Marine has a long history of activity in the country and is currently onsite to support clients with the build and delivery of vessels into the Company’s management.
In late April, the newbuild LNG carrier Orion Spirit was welcomed into management, marking the beginning of service provision to new client Orion Global Transport France (Orion). Orion was founded in 2022 and is building a portfolio of LNG vessels.
The 174,000 cbm vessel was the 500th LNG ship to be built in South Korea with the vessel’s naming ceremony in Geoje attracting special dignitaries including Mr Ahn Duk-geun, Trade, Industry and Energy Minister for South Korea.
Through its subsidiary Tritec Marine, Northern Marine is currently supervising the build of other LNG vessels in South Korea for additional new clients.
Upon delivery, the vessels will receive technical management and crewing services from Northern Marine.
Four of the carriers in development are owned by new client H-Line Shipping with current works including material preparation, sub-assembly construction and pre-outfitting.
Keel laying for the first vessel is scheduled for Q2 which will mark the formal beginning of the construction of the ship.
Ivan Guina, Project Manager, Tritec Marine, is currently overseeing the builds.
He said: “This is a major project with 4 vessels all being built consecutively in close succession in the same yard and I am pleased to inform the process of construction and site supervision is moving as planned.
“Currently the focus is on the steel construction and Factory Acceptance Tests-FAT which is taking most of the site team’s current resources.
“Work on the first vessel began in October last year and that vessel is now in a stage of about 40% completion.
“We are all relishing this challenge and will require to remain very focused as the yard’s construction schedule ramps up as we enter the summer.”
The H-Line project is not to be confused with a one-vessel newbuild project in South Korea by Tritec Marine for new client Hyundai-Glovis. That vessel has recently been launched and will undergo sea trials and gas trials this quarter before coming into Northern Marine’s management in June this year.
FACTS
All four H-Line 174,000 cbm LNG carriers are twin screw with MAN two stroke dual fuel ME-GA engines with EGR (exhaust gas recirculation).
The vessels also have ALS-Air Lubrication System and Air Liquide sub-cooling systems installed.
