Carrier American Energy First Mainland Vessel Delivering LNG to Puerto Rico
Liquified natural gas (LNG) vessel American Energy will be the first U.S. carrier making LNG transport to Puerto Rico.
American Energy is owned by maritime logistics firm Crowley. The company signed a multi-year agreement with Naturgy to supply mainland-sourced LNG to Naturgy’s operating facility in Penuelas.
U.S. territory Puerto Rico has struggled with a shortage of adequate energy supply. LNG is methane natural gas which is pipelined down to gulf terminals where it is liquefied and made stable for shipping by chilling it to minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit.
American Energy has a capacity of 130,400 cubic meters (34.4 million gallons) per voyage and will operate in accordance with the U.S. Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. The vessel has a top rating for safety and vessel condition, and its compliance with all regulatory requirements.
"The entry into service of American Energy marks a significant step for fuel supply reliability in Puerto Rico for our energy grid, which will greatly benefit our people," said Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer Gonzalez-Colan, in a statement. "This partnership is an initiative to act using existing regulations to increase access to a U.S.-based LNG source that expands our options for the stabilization of our energy grid, as we work towards providing our residents and businesses a more consistently reliable power generation source."
The 900-foot-long (274 meters) LNG carrier builds on Crowley's 70-plus years of business commitment to Puerto Rico. The company also operates the full-service marine Isla Grande cargo terminal in San Juan for its container and roll-on/roll-off vessels, including two LNG-fueled ships, and logistics services.
Crowley annually delivers more than 94 million gallons of LNG through its LNG Loading Terminal in Penuelas as well as provides ocean delivery and land transportation using ISO tank containers.
At capacity, each delivery of LNG aboard American Energy will provide enough energy to power 80,000 homes for a year. American Energy will be crewed by U.S. mariners and provide regular service from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Puerto Rico.
"This contract strengthens our presence in the global LNG market, particularly in the United States, and allows Puerto Rico to obtain a stable and competitive energy supply route," said Jon Ganuza, general manager of supply and wholesale markets, Naturgy.
Spain-based Natury operates natural gas distribution assets in numerous countries. Once LNG is delivered to a port it is then degasified for transport and consumption.
The U.S. is the world’s largest exporter of LNG, thanks to historic production from shale plays such as the Bakken and Marcellus shales.
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