Moss Maritime of Norway announced that the company has signed a contract with keppel shipyard of singapore for design and engineering for the first ever conversion of a Moss type LNG carrier into an LNG Floating Storage and regasification unit (FSRU). Golar LNG is the owner of the lng carrier selected for this conversion. Moss Maritime has developed the FSRU concept, and recently carried out the preliminary engineering in preparation for their contract with keppel shipyard. The FSRU will be the world’s first floating LNG regasification terminal based on conversion of an existing lng carrier.

The FSRU will receive LNG from offloading LNG carriers, and the onboard regasification system will provide gas send-out through flexible risers and pipeline to shore. The proposed LNG terminal is a steel mono hull with Moss® LNG tanks arranged in the middle, with the re-gasification plant in the forward section and crew facilities with control room and utility machinery in the aft section. The LNG offloading tankers will be moored in a side-by-side configuration with the FSRU for efficient replenishment of the terminal. The scope of work includes installation of new forward turret, side-by-side mooring system, LNG loading arms, aft thruster with compartment, a regasification plant and replacement of cargo pumps. There is also upgrading of the existing steam power electrical and marine systems.

The FSRU has a throughput capacity of 2.75 BSCM per annum at variable gas send-out pressures up to 90 bar. The FSRU will be designed in compliance with DNV class rules and relevant international standards. The inherent strength and reliability of the Moss LNG tanks are superior to competitive designs, confirmed by the excellent track record from more than 30 years of operation of Moss® LNG carriers. According to Golar LNG the FSRU will be completed during the second quarter of 2007.