North America's first LNG bunker barge is set to be launched next February, Clean Marine Energy LLC (CME) announced.

The 2,200cbm barge hull construction is near complete and abrasive blasting and painting is scheduled to begin in the coming weeks. The LNG Mark III Flex cargo containment system, designed by Gaztransport & Technigaz (GTT), is scheduled to be installed immediately following the February launch. The Bristol Harbor Group designed and ABS classed vessel will be outfitted with the Conrad's custom fabricated 20m bunker mast under GTT license which will enable the barge to service a wide variety of vessels. The barge will also be equipped with six DH Industries StirLNG-4 cryocoolers capable of handling 125% of the B.O.G. in addition to the many other systems specifically designed for this vessel's LNG bunkering application to deliver the coldest LNG to the end user.

The barge will be delivered to Jacksonville, FL in the third Quarter of 2016 to service TOTE's newbuild "Marlin class" container vessels and other LNG-powered vessels in and around the Port of Jacksonville and the Southeast. The Isla Bella, the first of two ships, arrived in Jacksonville in early December and is currently operating a liner service to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Her sister, the Perla Del Caribe, is anticipated to enter service in the second half of February 2016.