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The Trusted Partner for LNG Bunkering Vessels

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering sector is growing rapidly as a vital link in the global LNG supply chain. Liquefied Natural Gas Bunker Vessels (LNGBVs) play a critical role in this ecosystem, delivering LNG fuel to dual-fuel vessels worldwide and supporting the maritime industry’s transition to cleaner energy.

As the number of LNG-powered vessels continues to increase and ports expand their LNG bunkering infrastructure, LNGBVs are essential to completing the LNG value chain and ensuring reliable, safe fuel delivery.

Harvey Energy Tri-Fuel Vessel Shapes Future of Sustainability

The Harvey Energy will become the first ABS-classed dual fuel and battery vessel and the first U.S. flagged OSV equipped with a battery/converter system.

Purpose Built for LNG Bunkering

The LNGBVs are highly specialized LNG carriers, equipped with dedicated systems and technologies designed to meet the unique operational, technical and safety demands of LNG bunkering. While they share certain characteristics with small-scale gas carriers, the evolving nature of bunkering equipment, procedures and compatibility requirements calls for a tailored, vessel-specific approach to design and development.

Variations in local regulations and the diverse designs of receiving vessels further increase complexity, making careful strategic planning essential for long-term operational flexibility, compliance and commercial viability.

ABS: Expertise Across the Entire Life Cycle

With more than 160 years of maritime experience and a strong portfolio of diverse vessels and offshore assets, ABS supports LNG bunkering projects worldwide with specialized services spanning the full asset life cycle, from concept and design to construction, operation and ongoing performance.

Our deep technical expertise, industry insight and independent perspective position ABS as a trusted partner for LNGBV projects globally, helping owners and operators achieve their safety, sustainability and operational goals with confidence.

Comprehensive LNGBV Services

Leveraging decades of experience classing more than 300 LNG carriers, ABS has developed industry-leading guidance for classing LNG bunkering vessels while promoting safety in the expanding LNG market.

Early-Stage Support
Classification Services
Engineering and Technical Expertise
Supporting Sustainability

ABS offers essential LNGBV services to help guide decision-making

Concept Evaluation: Project design evaluation to allow ABS, industry standards and operational goals to be met through a thorough analysis and recommendation plan.
Preliminary Planning and Advice: Expert guidance on navigating regulatory frameworks and defining project requirements.
Design Optimization: Through a series of workshops, ABS can assist in aligning the design of the LNGBV to the strategic criteria that best fit each project.
Specification Review: Attain validation on the outline and detailed specifications through operational insights.

As a class society, ABS provides essential services for compliance and operational readiness.

Detail Design Approval: Thorough review and validation of engineering designs for compliance with ABS Rules and standards.
Fabrication Survey: Construction oversight to confirm structures and systems meet class and regulatory requirements.
Gas Trials and First Load: LNGBV delivery and first load surveys confirming compliance with applicable safety standards are met at every stage.
Survey After Construction: Ongoing vessel integrity management, including periodic surveys, to maintain LNGBV classification throughout their operational life.

Refer to the ABS LNG Bunkering Technical and Operational Advisory as well as the ABS Guide for LNG Bunkering for guidance on regulatory and design requirements, as well as operational insights and technology advice.

As a sustainability leader, ABS helps LNGBV operators reduce their environmental footprint and meet global decarbonization goals through services such as:

]Life-cycle emissions assessments and strategies for greenhouse gas reduction.
ABS Sustainability Notation (SUSTAIN) to highlight environmental achievements.

As a sustainability leader, ABS helps LNGBV operators reduce their environmental footprint and meet global decarbonization goals through services such as:

Life-cycle emissions assessments and strategies for greenhouse gas reduction.
ABS Sustainability Notation (SUSTAIN) to highlight environmental achievements.

The ABS Advantage

With offices around the globe, ABS offers tailored, localized support and timely assistance at major construction and conversion shipyards for FSRU projects.

ABS leverages its deep domain experience to address the unique challenges of FSRU operations with precision and insight.

ABS integrates advanced solutions, from cutting-edge inspection technologies to life-cycle sustainability planning, to help clients achieve operational, safety and environmental objectives