On 8 January 2014, Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), specialist in designing membrane containment systems for the maritime transportation and storage of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), and Keppel Singmarine, the specialised shipbuilding division of Keppel Offshore & Marine, signed a Technical Assistance and License Agreement for the design and construction of LNG carriers using GTT’s membrane containment systems.
The partnership between GTT and Keppel Singmarine will enable both companies to leverage each other’s expertise and experience in LNG technology and specialized shipbuilding to cater to the world’s demand for optimised, innovative and high quality LNG carriers.
The demand for LNG is growing tremendously worldwide, in particular Southeast Asia, where Singapore is aiming to be a hub for LNG bunkering and regional LNG distribution. Small scale oil and gas networks are also considering the supply of LNG to remote markets such as small islands in Indonesia, while the use of LNG as a fuel for ship, road and rail transport is getting more and more widespread. With an increasing demand for LNG, there will be a need for more small to medium scale LNG carriers and bunker ships to support the LNG industry.
“ GTT has a long standing and strong relationship with Keppel Offshore & Marine. Today, we have passed a new milestone and I am pleased to count Keppel Singmarine as a new GTT partner from the Keppel Offshore & Marine Group. This agreement will enable Keppel Singmarine to propose GTT solutions in the design and construction of LNG carriers and is a major landmark in the long and successful partnership of GTT with Singapore ”, declared Mr. Berterottière, GTT Chairman and CEO.
Mr. Hoe Eng Hock, Managing Director of Keppel Singmarine , said, “ We are pleased to enter into this win-win partnership with GTT which will allow us to incorporate GTT’s innovative solutions in designing and building of LNG carriers for the LNG market. With an established track record of delivering some 400 specialised vessels, we understand the need of the market for quality and safe solutions, and we are confident our partnership with GTT will help us meet this market requirement .”
Keppel Singmarine is capable of designing and building a wide spectrum of vessels, spanning from Anchor Handling Tug/Supply vessels, Multi-Purpose Offshore Support vessels and tugboats to highly advanced solutions such as icebreakers and ice-class support vessels.
With more than 70% of the world LNG carrier fleet equipped with membrane technologies, GTT systems have become the technology of choice for new LNG carrier orders and offshore applications. GTT proposes also a whole range of services for supporting the owners throughout the lifespan of their vessels.
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GTT, January 16, 2014