Keel-laying ceremony held at Damen Yichang Shipyard for Elenger LGC 6000 LNG tanker
After the steel-cutting ceremony in March the keel-laying ceremony has taken place at Damen Yichang Shipyard in China for the LNG Bunker vessel for the new energy brand ELENGER, formerly known as Eesti Gaas.
The event was attended by Mr. Ain Hanschmidt, Chairman of the Advisory Board of Elenger and CEO of its parent company Infortar, together with a group of senior colleagues from both companies. Representatives from Damen Shipyards Gorinchem, Damen Yichang Shipyard and Bureau Veritas were also present. The ceremony included the Dutch tradition of welding of three coins on to the first section of the keel to give the vessel good luck.
With a 6,000m³ capacity, the new vessel will play a vital role facilitating the adoption of LNG by providing an efficient ship-to-ship distribution service for all kinds of LNG vessels in the Baltic region. Following sea trials in the spring of 2020, the ship will arrive in Estonia next summer and will start serving LNG clients in the autumn, carrying out bunker activities at designated locations both in and outside ports.
Elenger currently uses road tankers to refuel Tallink’s LNG-powered Megastar ferry, which operates between Tallinn and Helsinki. In his welcome speech, Damen sales manager Peter Anssems noted that the newbuilding project is an excellent example of the cooperation between China and Europe and underlines the capabilities that Damen Yichang Shipyard has to offer as a builder of sophisticated vessels both for its domestic and export markets. Damen offers a range of state-of-the-art Liquified Gas Carriers that are ideal for bunkering operations.
The vessels range in capacity from 1500 to 7500 m³ and all feature highly efficient hull forms, comfortable, modern accommodation and wheelhouses with excellent all-round visibility for both sailing and manoeuvring in harbour. The cargo tanks and their systems are supplied by leading manufacturers and the vessels can use vaporised LNG on board for propulsive and auxiliary power. This provides an economic alternative to conventional fuels and reduces the need for liquefaction.
Damen Shipyards Group operates 36 shipbuilding and repair yards, employing 12,000 people worldwide. Damen has delivered more than 6,500 vessels in more than 100 countries and delivers around 175 vessels annually to customers worldwide. Based on its unique, standardised ship-design concept Damen is able to guarantee consistent quality. Damen’s focus on standardisation, modular construction and keeping vessels in stock leads to short delivery times, low ‘total cost of ownership’, high resale values and reliable performance. Furthermore, Damen vessels are based on thorough R&D and proven technology. Damen offers a wide range of products, including tugs, workboats, naval and patrol vessels, high speed craft, cargo vessels, dredgers, vessels for the offshore industry, ferries, pontoons and superyachts. For nearly all vessel types Damen offers a broad range of services, including maintenance, spare parts delivery, training and the transfer of (shipbuilding) know-how. Damen also offers a variety of marine components, such as nozzles, rudders, winches, anchors, anchor chains and steel works. Damen Shiprepair & Conversion (DSC) has a worldwide network of eighteen repair and conversion yards of which twelve are located in North West Europe. Facilities at the yards include more than 50 floating (and covered) drydocks, including the longest, 420 x 80 metres, and the widest, 405 x 90 metres, as well as slopes, ship lifts and indoor halls. Projects range from the smallest simple repairs through Class’ maintenance to complex refits and the complete conversion of large offshore structures. DSC completes around 1,300 repair and maintenance jobs annually, both at yards as well as in ports and during voyage.
Elenger
Elenger, in homeland Estonia known as Eesti Gaas, is a one of the largest and most experienced private energy groups in the Baltic region, with roots in 1865. Elenger’s core product and competence is natural gas delivered to customers as pipeline gas, compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Elenger is the biggest truck-to-ship bunkering provider in Northern Europe. In addition, Elenger sells electricity, is engaged in solar power production and develops different energy solutions for its customers. Elenger has 50,000 clients and employs 240 people. The company operates in Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
