Marine engineering firm develops concept for LNG bunker barge

Jensen Maritime said in a statement customers will be able to choose from two different designs for the refueling barges.    Jensen Maritime, a naval architecture and marine engineering firm owned by Crowley Maritime Corp., on Wednesday announced the development of two new, liquefied natural gas bunker barge concepts for refueling ocean-going vessels.
   LNG is increasingly being studied by shipping companies as an alternative fuel to comply with stricter international emission standards and lower fuel costs. Crowley Maritime, based in Jacksonville, Fla., has two LNG powered container/roll-on, roll-off vessels on order for its Puerto Rico trade lane.
   One of the Jensen concepts is aimed at getting an LNG fuel system in place quickly, especially for customers that have short-term requirements. It involves outfitting an existing barge with an above-deck LNG tank.
   The second concept is a purpose-built barge that offers greater capacity and improved visibility because the large LNG tanks are nestled inside the barge.