Bomin, Klaipeda Form Bunkering Venture

Germany’s LNG supplier Bomin Linde LNG (BL LNG) has booked the largest ever LNG bunker supply vessel which it will employ along with Lithuania’s Klaipedos Nafta, the operator of a liquefied natural gas terminal in the Baltic seaport of Klaipeda. The two have formed a joint venture to supply shipping and small-scale LNG terminals along the Baltic Sea coast.

A time-charter contract with ship owner Bernhard Schulte Shipping signed in late September foresees the commissioning of a 7,500 m³ vessel in late 2018. A joint venture, established in November 2015, in which BL LNG holds 90% and Klaipedos Nafta 10%, will operate the vessel.

“The fact that BL LNG has come to Klaipeda to work with the Klaipeda LNG terminal is a very important step for Klaipeda. It shows that our determination and objective of becoming a LNG hub in the Baltic region is turning into real actions,” Mantas Bartuska, the CEO of Klaipedos Nafta, said.

BL LNG CEO, Mahinde Abeynaike

He interprets the arrival of the German LNG supplier to mean more capacity for the Lithuanian terminal and, therefore, less LNG infrastructure maintenance costs that now are party covered by the Lithuanian gas consumers.

“The share of LNG as a marine fuel will grow significantly in the Baltic Sea over the next few years. We intend to be at the front, leading the development. Signing this contract is an important milestone for BL LNG and a big step forward for the maritime LNG market in the Baltic Sea region. For the first time ship owners and operators will have access to a complete LNG supply chain in the Baltic Sea region," said BL LNG CEO Mahinde Abeynaike.

Linas Jegelevicius