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I n 2014, innovation – as it turns out – means new ideas for the (previously) boring subject of marine barges. It also means LNG. Paired together, LNG and barges are giving naval architects, global classifi cation societies and the operators of a new generation of LNG-powered ton- nage something to think about. That’s because the fi nal link of the push to move to dual fuel and/or LNG-pow- ered commercial vessels involves infrastructure. Some early stakeholders are ramping up shore infrastructure to meet the coming demand for bunkers. Others are planning – and building – barges to accomplish the task. And, since it never really has been done before, the design task faces many challenges. Spending time and money on a design that no one, to date, has agreed to pay for, represents a real leap for some smaller naval architecture and design shops. The idea of an LNG bunker barge also entails a new area for classifi cation societies, the IMO and of course, the U.S. Coast Guard. And yet, spec designs are emerging and their creators, looking for customers. Most that already have customers aren’t yet willing to talk about it, but that doesn’t prevent the ideas from making a splash in the trade news. Beyond this, the differences between the various designs and the driving forces behind each make for interesting discussion. This month, we look at a few of these entries to the hot- test thing to hit shipping since Noah crewed up for his inaugural voyage. BHGI, Conrad Team up on LNG Barge Concept In late August, Conrad Shipyard, L.L.C. engaged Bristol Harbor Group, Inc. (BHGI) to develop a 3,000 cubic me- ter Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG) transport barge utilizing a Bristol Harbor Group proven hull design built by Con- rad. It was also announced that BHGI had been awarded an “Approval in Principle” (AIP) by the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) for the design of the 3,000 cubic meter Liquefi ed Natural Gas (LNG) Transport Barge design on behalf of Conrad. The deal looks to be a natural fi t for natural gas. That’s because BHGI has a long relationship with Conrad that, in the past, had focused on coastal liquid cargo barges. In this case, the 300’ version of those proven double hull oil barges that came to be the basis for the LNG Transport Barge. According to BHGI, the new design will serve the purpose of primarily transporting LNG in blue wa- ter along the United States coastline. Storage containment Barging Right into LNG A raft of new and innovative concepts for LNG barge missions hits the market, in North America and across the pond, as well. Industry gears up for the soon- to-come need for bunkering, infrastructure and LNG-related logistics. By Joseph Keefe INNOVATIVE BOATS 46 MN October 2014 MN Oct14 Layout 32-49.indd 46 9/18/2014 3:48:00 PM
