Wärtsilä to Provide LNG ATB

The technology group Wärtsilä has been selected by Quality Liquefied Natural Gas Transport LLC (Q-LNG) to provide a range of products and solutions for a new 4000 m3 capacity articulated tug barge (ATB). 
 

The vessel is being built at VT Halter marine shipyard in Pascagoula Mississippi and will be used to supply liquefied natural gas to cruise ships on the east coast of Florida. Wärtsilä is fitting the barge with an LNG cargo storage handling and control system as well as barge automation power and ballast water management systems and the bow thruster. The company is also providing steerable thrusters and shaft lines to the tug along with NACOS Platinum dynamic positioning system and navigation and communication equipment. 
 

This is the first time Wärtsilä solutions are being provided for a fuel barge in United States waters. Deliveries will continue throughout 2018 and 2019 with a scheduled launch in 2020. The ATB will be on a long-term charter with Shell Oil Company.