The “American Energy” is the first US LNG tanker to enter service. The ship will supply Puerto Rico with natural gas.
Ship operator Crowley and energy company Naturgy have signed a multi-year agreement for the supply of LNG from the mainland.
This will provide the island, an outlying territory of the USA, with a more reliable energy supply and enable it to meet its growing demand, the companies announced. The gas will be delivered to Naturgy’s plant in Penuelas, located in the south of the island.
The “American Energy” has a capacity of 130,400m3 and is operated in accordance with the US Coast Guard Authorization Act of 1996. It has the highest possible safety and vessel condition rating (CAP-1). All legal requirements are met.
“The commissioning of ‘American Energy’ is an important step for the reliability of the fuel supply of our energy grid in Puerto Rico, which will greatly benefit our people,” said the Governor of Puerto Rico, Jenniffer González-Colón. “This partnership is an initiative to leverage existing regulations to increase access to a U.S. source of LNG, expanding our ability to stabilize our energy grid. We are working to provide our residents and businesses with a more reliable source of power generation.”
The 274-meter LNG carrier builds on Crowley’s more than 70-year commitment to Puerto Rico. The company also operates the full-service Isla Grande cargo terminal in San Juan for its container and RoRo vessels, including two LNG-powered vessels, as well as logistics services.
LNG for 80,000 households
At full capacity, the “American Energy” is expected to transport enough LNG to supply 80,000 households with electricity for a year. LNG is also a lower-carbon fuel and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel and other conventional energy sources, Crowley said.
“We are proud and honored to expand the availability of U.S. LNG in Puerto Rico in partnership with Naturgy,” said Tom Crowley, Chairman and CEO of Crowley Corporation. “LNG is an abundant and reliable source of energy in the United States. It offers a more robust and lower-emission option in our country’s energy portfolio to quickly meet Puerto Rico’s growing energy needs while supporting American jobs, American energy production and U.S. national security.”
“This contract strengthens our presence in the global LNG market, particularly in the U.S., and provides Puerto Rico with a stable and competitive energy supply route,” said Jon Ganuza, General Manager of Supply and Wholesale Markets at Naturgy.
