LAKE CHARLES – Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lake Charles has authorized the first vessel to transport natural gas from the Southwest Louisiana LNG Facility.
The Marine Safety Unit issued the initial Certificate of Compliance to the liquid natural gas carrier Marvel Crane last week at the Cameron LNG Terminal located in Hackberry.
The COC authorized the vessel to carry liquefied gas cargo from the United States to ports around the world.
U.S. Coast Guard photo
The Marvel Crane is the first LNGC to transport natural gas from the Southwest Louisiana LNG facility, which is in the process of completing a $10 billion expansion project. Cameron LNG is one of several LNG export projects planned for Southwest Louisiana in the next five to ten years.
The vessel’s examination was conducted by a team of Coast Guard LNGC subject matter experts whom reviewed the vessel’s cargo system, machinery spaces, navigation equipment, fire fighting systems, and safety equipment to ensure compliance with United States and international laws, regulations, and treaties.
The Coast Guard has regulatory jurisdiction to examine foreign vessels carrying LNG in bulk quantities while conducting trade in the United States.
U.S. Coast Guard photo
“Vessel examinations are a key part of the Coast Guard’s mission to facilitate safe and secure commerce on our nation’s marine transportation system,” said Cmdr. Daniel Cost, MSU Lake Charles commanding officer. “With the safety of the public we serve as our highest priority, we assess the safety and security of all cargoes both shipped to the U.S. from all points of origin, as well as those departing United States ports, such as those in Calcasieu and Cameron parishes.”
The LNGC Marvel Crane was built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. in Nagasaki, Japan, and delivered on March 28, 2019. It is the flagship LNGC for Cameron LNG and is one of several dedicated gas carriers planned to export natural gas from the Southwest Louisiana facility.
