Canadian shipbuilding, design and engineering company Seaspan has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with energy company AES to collaborate on provision of LNG bunkering services to vessels transiting the Panama Canal.
The scope of the MoU includes exploring options to provide LNG bunkering and similar services in regional markets within the area of influence of the Costa Norte LNG terminal, owned by AES, located in Colón, Panama.
Currently, AES is developing a project to expand the Costa Norte terminal to consider a new LNG refuelling infrastructure in methane tankers (Ship Loading Facility) that together with the arrival of a small-scale methane tanker to Panama, provided by Seaspan, and destined for final deliveries of LNG, will allow the commercialisation of LNG as marine fuel from the second half of 2024, and eventually the delivery of this type of hydrocarbon, more environmentally friendly, in other alternative regional markets.
The Ship Loading Facility is scheduled to begin operations in November 2023 as an integral part of the services of the Costa Norte LNG terminal. This infrastructure is hoped to change the landscape of the regional energy sector, enabling the terminal to offer services for the LNG industry:
- Cool down: cooling service for LNG carriers reloading or resuming marine operation after a period of maintenance downtime.
- Temporary storage and reloading: with the capacity of the Costa Norte storage tank (180,000 m³), different market operators will be able to store their LNG temporarily and withdraw it on demand.
- Refuelling for bunkering and regional distribution: with a model that replicates the operation of the world’s main terminals, the Costa Norte terminal will enable the delivery of stored LNG to be used both for LNG supply, as marine fuel for the growing fleet transiting the Panama Canal, and for emerging markets in neighbouring countries.
Ian McIver, president Seaspan Energy said: “Seaspan is proud to collaborate with AES to provide LNG bunkering in the Panama region and lead the way in providing energy transformation opportunities in the global marine sector. Together we will provide low-carbon solutions for ship owners who want to decarbonise their operations and transition to cleaner marine fuels.”
Miguel Bolinaga, president AES Panama said: “We are on the doorstep of a new era in sustainable energy. The collaboration with our shipowner partner and the innovations at our Costa Norte Terminal position us as leaders in driving sustainable, efficient and affordable solutions to meet the growing demands of the market.”
