EX-certified automated mooring enables "new era" in LNG distribution

EX-certified MoorMaster™ automated mooring units have played a key role in enabling the first ever transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a ship to a floating LNG platform, a breakthrough that customer Connect LNG describes as a “new era” in LNG distribution.

“We’re delighted to see MoorMaster™ evolve yet again to bring its safety and operational benefits to the fast-growing LNG sector,” says Mike Howie, Global System Specialist MoorMaster.

Together, Gas Natural Fenosa and Connect LNG successfully conducted a commercial LNG delivery with the Universal Transfer System (UTS) in Norway on October 7.

The UTS was fitted with two MoorMaster™ units – the first EX- and DNV GL-certified automated mooring systems ever built – that held the LNG vessel securely in place throughout the transfer of LNG.

“This paves the way for safe, fast, and reliable mooring for LNG, LPG, and tanker vessels for the transfer of fluids to onshore storage terminals without the need for vessel modifications,” Howie says.

MoorMaster™ is the only automated vacuum mooring technology currently in operation that is EX- and DNV GL CLASS-certified. The technology has already been CLASS-approved in the US for ship-to-ship mooring, a project on which we are working on behalf of the US Navy.

This is also the first non-military ship-to-ship automated mooring application, and the first ATEX-certified automated mooring application anywhere in the world.

While MoorMaster™ has been in use at a variety of bulk and container handling, Ro/Ro and lock applications around the world for many years, this is the first MoorMaster™ application in the oil and gas sector.

Cavotec’s automated mooring technology is increasingly considered as a major innovation for the oil and gas segment, enabling ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore mooring, (including pontoons).

It offers the option of providing an automated emergency release system; and enables operation of Connect LNG's floating platform, which improves flexibility and safety, while reducing environmental impact and CAPEX compared to fixed jetty alternatives.

MoorMaster™ is a vacuum-based automated mooring technology that eliminates the need for conventional mooring lines. Remote-controlled vacuum pads recessed in, or mounted on the quayside or pontoons, moor and release vessels within 30 seconds. MoorMaster™ has completed an estimated 330,000 mooring operations at 50 installations worldwide.