LNG BARGE
The Clean Jacksonville is North America’s first-ever LNG bunker barge. Engineered to enhance the safety, reliability, and flexibility of ship-to-ship bunkering operations, it serves TOTE’s LNG-powered container ships in the Port of Jacksonville and beyond. This innovation marks a major milestone in sustainable maritime fuel solutions, setting a benchmark for cleaner and more efficient fueling practices.
The Clean Jacksonville project represents an unprecedented international collaboration that began in 2014. A team of GTT engineers in France, supported by partnering designers, developed the conceptual design for this 2,200-cubic-meter LNG barge. The design received Approval in Principle (AiP) from both ABS and DNV GL, paving the way for construction, which commenced at Conrad Shipyard in Orange, Texas, in 2015.
At the heart of the barge is a single cargo tank featuring GTT’s proven Mark III Flex membrane containment technology. While this marks the first LNG tank built specifically for an LNG bunker barge, GTT’s membrane technology is far from new. With approximately 300 vessels worldwide equipped with this technology, its reliability and robustness have been well-established globally.
A key achievement of this project was leveraging and upskilling the existing workforce. GTT trained internal teams in specialized skills, including membrane installation, bonding, and advanced welding techniques, to ensure the successful installation of the tank. This emphasis on workforce development underscores the innovative spirit and commitment to excellence driving the Clean Jacksonville’s success.
The Clean Jacksonville project reached a significant milestone in January 2017 with the completion of its LNG tank. This achievement marked a major step forward in the barge’s construction and readiness. By July 2017, all major stakeholders—including TOTE, GTT, Conrad, and ABS—gathered for the final tank inspection. The inspection proceeded smoothly, and the tank was officially sealed.
Meanwhile, crews continued work on the barge’s exterior, including the installation of GTT’s Reach 4 bunker mast, a pioneering system designed to transfer LNG safely from the bunker barge to TOTE’s container ships. This innovative mast provides the flexibility needed to service a variety of vessel configurations, enhancing the versatility of the Clean Jacksonville.
As the year progressed, Conrad Shipyard and GTT collaborated closely to finalize the barge’s piping installation and prepare for critical gas trials. By early 2018, the Clean Jacksonville was set to join TOTE’s groundbreaking LNG-powered container ship fleet, establishing its permanent role as a key enabler of sustainable maritime operations.