Components for LNG bunker vessel Green Pearl
Earlier this year, BigLift Shipping successfully completed two shipments in Italy, transporting critical components for the LNG bunker vessel Green Pearl. The operation involved two voyages using heavy-lift vessels m/v Poolgracht and m/v Palmgracht, showcasing BigLift’s expertise in handling oversized and highly sensitive cargo.
Precision logistics for LNG innovation
The first shipment, executed in March by m/v Poolgracht, comprised two massive cryogenic tanks manufactured by Gas and Heat S.p.A. The tanks weighed 335 mt and 350 mt and both measured an impressive 13 x 39 x 16 metres. These tanks were loaded in Livorno after they arrived by barge from Pisa. They were discharged in Genoa, where the Green Pearl hull was being outfitted. Using Poolgracht’s onboard cranes, the tanks were positioned directly into the bunker vessel’s hold – a delicate and time-sensitive operation.
When positioning these tanks, they only have centimetres to spare, whereby the tanks are glued into a rail in the vessel. Furthermore, the operation is rather time sensitive due to limited hardening time and the tanks have to be correctly installed in one go. These operations require extensive preparations and close cooperation between the shipyard, the producers of the tanks, our local agent HB Shipping and the vessel. The certified crane drivers play a key role in this whole operation.
In April, m/v Palmgracht sailed to Genoa with the 250 mt canopy for the Green Pearl to cover the tanks, thereby completing the scope of work.
Green Pearl: A Milestone in LNG Bunkering
With a capacity of 7,500 cubic meters of LNG, Green Pearl represents a breakthrough in Europe’s energy transition. She is the first European vessel equipped with a dual bunkering system, enabling both ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck LNG transfers. The latter is facilitated by LNG4Speed®, a patented skid system by Gas and Heat, ensuring the highest safety standards for road distribution.
Following the installation of the tanks and its cargo systems, the vessel will undergo commissioning and operational tests before entering service, supporting cleaner fuel solutions for maritime transport.