Höegh LNG Hattrick for Brest

In the fall of 2022, Damen Shiprepair Brest has upgraded 3 Höegh LNG FSRUs simultaneously: the Höegh Gannet, Höegh Esperanza and the Höegh Giant, all of these ships measuring 294 metres in length. The three enormous vessels needed to be serviced in the shortest possible time at challenging supply chain circumstances. Projects of all three vessels were completed within scheduled time.

Höegh Giant was retrofitted with a Selective Catalytic Reduction “SCR” System for exhaust cleaning, project specific modifications and regular maintenance before it could continue its “normal” business on an interim LNGC Charter. The 110338 Gross Ton, 294 metres long vessel will start up regasification operations in Brazil within June 2023.

Höegh Esperanza and Höegh Gannet needed to be upgraded for their respective  new projects. In the same way as Höegh Giant, both these vessels are already designed to operate as so-called Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) and can also operate as conventional LNG carriers. For operation as FSRUs, all the sites have their own characteristics – both in terms of permitting and physical compatibility with the onshore terminal/jetty – and it is therefore necessary to make a number of modifications to the more generic design in order to meet the specific requirements for each project. For the Höegh FSRUs this included preparation for installation of emission monitoring equipment, modifications to the gas export manifold, cooling water lines and more. Both vessels have been contracted by the German government to act as stationary FSRU’s and to supply gas to the German network.

The current geopolitical situation has driven European countries to find other options to replace the import of Russian fossil fuels. One of the solutions is the use of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) which can be imported from the global market and transported by LNG tankers. FSRU’s are used to provide the connection between the LNG that is supplied by the tankers to the network of gas pipelines ashore. A typical FSRU is designed for being able to trade as an LNG carrier, but has also all the equipment necessary for regasifying LNG and staying moored at a terminal for periods of up to 10-20 years. The FSRU can be refilled with a standard LNG carriers mooring alongside the FSRU.

Our client Höegh LNG and Damen had the challenge of a super-fast track engineering schedule, material sourcing, (pre)manufacturing and installation of the needed components in a challenging market of material scarcity and overbooked resources. In a very good co-operation between the project teams, Höegh LNG and Damen were able to handle the 3 simultaneous projects and deliver within schedule. The Höegh Gannet project was also supported by Damen Harbour & Voyage, which is the GRE (glass fiber reinforced piping) expert within Damen.

While Höegh Giant is currently maintaining trans-Atlantic LNG transport and will start operations in Brazil June 2023, Höegh Esperanza arrived at Wilhelmshaven on 15 December last year and Höegh Gannet arrived in Brunsbüttel on 20 January.