The refuelling link between LNG supply and gas-fuelled ships.
- Operational role
- LNG Bunkering Vessel
- Containment system
- Type C Pressure Tanks · Bi-Lobe Type C Tanks
- Capacity class
- Small-scale (indicative: below approximately 30,000 m³)
- Indicative capacity
- 2K–20K m³
- Tank geometry
- Cylindrical or bi-lobe self-supporting pressure vessels
- Typical application
- Ship-to-ship refuelling of LNG-fuelled vessels in port or at anchorage
- Hull-space efficiency
- Lower — pressure vessels and a large transfer deck dominate the arrangement
- Infrastructure requirements
- Port safety zones, a supply terminal or FSU, and approved transfer procedures
- Propulsion options
- DFDE / TFDE
- BOG management
- BOG as fuel · Reliquefaction
- Advantages
- Ship-to-ship transfer while the receiving vessel works cargo — Pressure tanks tolerate long holding periods between bunkering jobs — High-accuracy custody metering for fuel sales — Excellent manoeuvrability for repeated port operations
- Limitations
- Operations are governed by strict port safety zones — Small parcel sizes mean high utilisation is essential — Tank pressure and holding time vary by design and duty cycle
- Typical routes
- Rotterdam and Antwerp port services · Singapore anchorage bunkering · US Gulf port calls