Elenger takes delivery of LNG bunkering vessel Optimus

Elenger has taken delivery of LNG bunkering vessel Optimus, with an LNG carrying capacity of 6,000 cbm. The vessel was delivered in the port of Rotterdam and will be the first LNG bunkering vessel in the Gulf of Finland region of the Baltic Sea.

The vessel was built by the Dutch Damen Shipyards Group at its Yichang and Rotterdam shipyards and delivered to its owner Infortar for charter by Elenger Marine. The vessel will supply LNG fuel to ships operating in the Gulf of Finland region and also to small-scale customers as required.

With this first LNG bunkering vessel, Elenger has significantly expanded its LNG distribution business in the Gulf of Finland region. The company has five years of solid experience in LNG bunkering and transportation and is a major provider of truck-to-ship (TTS) LNG bunkering services in the Baltic Sea area where it operates nine special semi-trailers for the purpose of LNG transportation and bunkering.

Elenger has already established long-term customer relations with one of the leading regional ferry companies, Tallink Group, and supplies the company’s LNG shuttle vessel Megastar and, starting from spring 2022, its new LNG-fuelled shuttle vessel MyStar. The company also has pre-agreements with other reputable clients operating cargo and container vessels, tankers and cruise ships, among others.

Ain Hanschmidt, CEO of Estonian based investment company Infortar says: “The launching of this LNG bunkering vessel is consistent with our long-term strategy to invest in safe and sustainable LNG supply for various maritime customers in the Gulf of Finland region.“

The ice-class LNG bunkering vessel is designed to be suitable for fast and safe bunkering operations both in ports and offshore, and in all weather conditions. Thanks to double propeller lines and a very efficient hull design it has a high level of manoeuvrability, which is important for its operations.  A modern cargo handling system and redundant manifold arrangements allow it to perform reliable and flexible fuel transfers in accordance with the highest industry requirements. Optimus offers safe and sustainable services to its LNG clients all year round.

The vessel is owned by Estonian investment company Infortar. Its construction has been supported by the EU CEF (Connecting Europe Facility) funding programme and was co-financed by the leading financial services group in Finland, OP Financial Group.

Primary particulars of bunker vessel Optimus:
LNG tank hold capacity: 6000 m3
Deadweight: 3300 tonnes
Length:  99.8 m
Width: 18.6 m
Speed: 13.4 knots
Transfer rate: up to 1000 m3/h