Scottish ferries will be fuelled by bunkering solutions from KC LNG

On 30 March 2020, Scottish ferry owner Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd placed an order for 2 innovative liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering facilities – designed and delivered by KC LNG. When completed in the beginning of 2025, the facilities will enable two new vessels to be fuelled with the highly responsible fuel, LNG.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is owned by the Scottish Government, and the two new LNG bunkering facilities will strengthen the sustainable profile of the ports. The facilities will be located at the Port of Uig on the Isle of Skye and the Port of Ardrossan on the Firth of Clyde.

The installations will comprise fully automated and remotely monitored facilities. They will have a 150 m³ LNG tank with the capability of delivering a bunkering flow of up to 100 m³/hour – and thereby meet the extensive demands of the individual ferry timetables.

Complete and customised bunkering solutions

The new LNG facilities will be managed by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd (CalMac) on behalf of CMAL. And KC LNG will design, manufacture and deliver the facilities so they fit with the specific locations and needs. Andy Crossan, Projects Director at Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd, explains what it means:

"We really appreciate how KC LNG has listened to our needs and ideas – and how they’ve incorporated them into a workable solution. For us, it was very important to get a complete solution that includes all the elements of design, delivery and service, and KC LNG has put together a customised package that will deliver just that.”

Focusing on the zero-emission technology

Since the project was announced, KC LNG has followed it closely. According to Frej Olsen, Head of Group LNG at KC LNG, it matches our core principles perfectly. And the bunkering solutions for Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd have even made it possible to improve the already proven technologies. Frej Olsen elaborates:

"It’s been a pleasure to work with the team from Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and together create a solution that sets completely new standards for LNG bunkering. We have further developed our zero-emission technology, and since the facilities are fully automatic, they are easy to operate.”

5-year maintenance agreement

In addition to the actual LNG bunkering facilities, the order also includes a 5-year maintenance agreement. Among other things, this includes several annual service visits and support from KC LNG’s local and global network of technicians.

Moreover, the agreement also covers a remote monitoring system that makes KC LNG able to keep track of the performance and operation of the facilities anywhere and at any time. This is an important feature since the installations will be located on remote islands.