BigLift Shipping has completed two heavy-lift shipments in Italy for the LNG bunker vessel Green Pearl, moving key components with Poolgracht and Palmgracht.
The first operation took place in March with Poolgracht. The vessel transported two cryogenic tanks built by Gas and Heat S.p.A. The tanks weighed 335 tonnes and 350 tonnes, with each unit measuring 13 m x 39 m x 16 m.
The tanks were loaded in Livorno after arriving by barge from Pisa. They were then carried to Genoa, where Green Pearl was undergoing outfitting. Poolgracht used its onboard cranes to lower the tanks directly into the LNG bunker vessel’s hold.
The installation required tight control because the tanks had only centimeters of clearance. They also had to be fixed into rails in the vessel within a limited hardening period, leaving little room for delay or adjustment.
The operation required detailed preparation and coordination between the shipyard, the tank manufacturer, local agent HB Shipping and the vessel team. Certified crane drivers played a central role in placing the cargo correctly.
In April, Palmgracht completed the remaining transport scope by delivering a 250 tonnes canopy to Genoa. The canopy was installed to cover the LNG tanks on Green Pearl.
With 7,500 m³ of LNG capacity, Green Pearl is designed with a dual bunkering system for both ship-to-ship and ship-to-truck LNG transfers. The ship-to-truck function uses Gas and Heat S.p.A.’s patented LNG4Speed® skid system.
After installation of the tanks and cargo systems, Green Pearl will move into commissioning and operational testing before entering service.
