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Fincantieri Builds Second LNG Bunker Barge

leader of ship repair and maintenance companies

Building on the successful delivery of the Clean Canaveral, Polaris New Energy Partners with Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding to build a second LNG Bunker Barge.

Background

90% of everything we consume is moved via the sea. However, the emissions from the combustion of heavy fuel oil (HFO)—primarily to power massive container ships—are significant. Legislation is driving the need to lower pollution through alternative fuels.

The recently proposed Clean Shipping Act of 2022 is targeting a 100% reduction in carbon intensity by 2040, with a progressive reduction starting in 2027.

While research is still ongoing as to the ideal clean fuel, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) is the leading solution. It is estimated that 400 new vessels using LNG will be built worldwide over the next several years.

The Future for LNG and Alternative Marine Fuels

Learn more about marine fuel emissions legislation.

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The Challenges

  • Grow business opportunities and revenues by increasing the LNG bunker barge footprint
  • Incorporate adjustments and upgrades to the Clean Canaveral design
  • Build a second LNG barge on time and within budget
  • Manage risks associated with time delays and cost increases due to material shortages during the pandemic

The Solution

While still in the build phase of their first LNG bunker barge – Clean Canaveral, Polaris New Energy commissioned a second 5,500-cubic-meter LNG bunkering barge to expand their ability to bunker a wider variety of ships along the East Coast.

Tim Casey, Senior Vice President – LNG for Northstar, recognized the growing opportunity to deliver LNG to cruise ships, container vessels, bulk carriers, car carriers, and tankers.

“LNG is recognized as a clean, dependable, and competitively priced fuel for the shipping industry. The completion of this sister vessel to the Clean Canaveral further distinguishes Northstar’s capabilities to manage the last-mile logistics of LNG safely and effectively across the US coastline. The new capacity will provide unmatched reliability and flexibility in the current market and is the next step in our strategy to create a complete platform of LNG logistical solutions for marine customers.” ~ Tim Casey, Senior Vice President, Northstar.

Once again, Northstar’s Polaris New Energy partnered with Fincantieri due to our bunker barge design experience, strategic planning, ability to deliver on time—even during a pandemic, and ability to mitigate business risks.

Timeline for LNG Bunkering Barge Delivery

  • September 2021 - initial engagement and design collaboration (additions and upgrades to the original design)
  • November 2021 - contract
  • 4th Quarter 2023 - delivery ETA
  • 1st Quarter 2024 - LNG trials
  • 1st Quarter 2024 – in service

Tim Casey continued, “We’re excited to be moving forward on the second barge with Fincantieri. They proved to be the right partners to build the Clean Canaveral. Despite the global challenges of the last two years, they have performed above expectations, and we are confident that they’ll do the same with this second barge as they leverage their unmatched experience gained during the construction of the Clean Canaveral.”

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) is the primary commercial business unit of Fincantieri Marine Group (FMG) in the United States. FMG’s president and CEO, Dario Deste, offered the following on the contract announcement: “Our team at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is once again showing why they are the U.S. market reference point for LNG bunkering vessels.”

The Outlook for LNG Bunkering Barges

Learn more about the outlook for LNG bunkering barges.

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Why Choose Fincantieri Marine Group?

LNG Bunker Barge Experience and Expertise
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding is reinforcing its reputation for on time delivery in the emerging LNG Bunkering vessel market. Clean Canaveral had its inaugural bunkering in March 2022 and, based on this success, Polaris New Energy commissioned the constructing of a second bunkering barge. A third LNG Bunkering vessel is already under construction for Crowley.

Fincantieri Facilities
LNG bunker barges are built at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding (FBS) in Sturgeon Bay, WI.

Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding has climate-controlled manufacturing facilities allowing manufacturing to continue year-round, independent of weather conditions. The shipyard is equipped with a U.S. Navy-Certified Floating Drydock, a Graving Dock, ample Waterfront space, and lifting capacity to meet the most demanding requirement.

We recently completed a $250 million capital expansion plan, including updates and improvements for the FBS facility, including a new floating drydock, computer-aided manufacturing equipment, and climate-controlled manufacturing facilities.

FBS has the capacity to build additional LNG bunker barges in parallel with the existing order book.

About Fincantieri Marine Group

Fincantieri Marine Group is the U.S. subsidiary of one of the world’s largest shipbuilders. Established in the late 1700s, Fincantieri is legendary for designing and building military vessels, highly specialized support vessels, ferries, cruise ships, and mega yachts.

Services include new construction, repair, maintenance, and conversions in state-of-the-art shipyards that operate year-round.

For more information about LNG bunkering barge construction contact:

Justin Slater
Director of Sales and Marketing
Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding
605 North 3rd Avenue
Post Office Box 830
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Office: 920-746-3373
Justin.Slater@us.fincantieri.com

ADDRESS

Headquarters Washington DC
655 15th St NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC 20005
Fincantieri Marine Group - GBO
2465 Marina Circle
Green Bay, WI 54304
ACE Marine
201 S Pearl Street
Green Bay, WI 54303
Marinette Marine
1600 Ely Street
Marinette, WI 54143
Bay Shipbuilding
605 N 3rd Avenue
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
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