First of kind LNG bunker barge

HOUSTON - Shell Trading Company announced Nov. 7 that it had finalized a long-term charter agreement with Q-LNG Transport LLC of New Orleans for an LNG bunker barge with the capacity to carry 4,000 cubic meters of LNG fuel. It will be the first of its kind to be based in the U.S. The ocean-going bunker barge will supply LNG to marine customers along the southern East Coast, and support growing cruise line demand for LNG marine fuel. The LNG bunker barge will be owned and built by Q-LNG Transport LLC and operated by Harvey Gulf International Marine of Louisiana. Harvey Gulf CEO Shane Guidry separately announced the formation of the new marine transportation company, Quality Liquefied Natural Gas Transport LLC (“Q-LNG”), owned 70 percent by Guidry and 30 percent by Harvey Gulf. (Source: PR News Wire 11/07/17) Q-LNG has contracted with VT Halter Marine of Moss Point and Pascagoula, Miss., for construction of America’s first offshore LNG Articulated Tug and Barge (“ATB”). The project will rely heavily on the collaboration between VT Halter and the Finnish firm Wärtsilä, who will be delivering a large scope of equipment to the project.