Vaholmen and SafeSTS have signed an MOU to leverage their core expertise by developing a sustainable offshore terminal, which provides genuine opportunities to reduce the carbon footprint of their customers. By bringing the transhipment terminal closer to the operating fields, not only will it save fuel and emissions but it also provides a means of recovering and monetising the VOC emissions generated by the export tanker during cargo transfer operations.
The TVB Vaholmen Offshore Terminal will consist of two main elements: the TVB and the Vaholmen Unit. The TVB enables conventional tankers to moor to the TVB as if it were a calm buoy while a dynamical positioning enabled tanker stations itself close to the buoy to transfer oil via hose strings attached to the same buoy. The Vaholmen Unit includes the VOC recovery plant installed on a dynamically positioned vessel.
SafeSTS
SafeSTS has vast experience in Ship-to-Ship (STS) transfer of oil cargoes both offshore and in ports. They have developed and patented a concept for Transfer Via Buoy Terminal (TVB) to enable export tankers to load or discharge at a single point mooring (SPM) type terminal, with the DP shuttle tankers loading/discharging in DP mode, whilst keeping at a pre-determined distance from the export tanker. The DP tanker will reference its position to the buoy and orientation of the export tanker,
The TVB Terminal has no subsea structure apart from anchors and chains, and with the dual-carcass floating hoses containing the oil always visible on the surface, regular maintenance and inspection is easily conducted without the use of specialist underwater personnel and equipment.
The TVB Terminal can be located close to the production fields to provide both exceptional operational availability and increased commercial and environmental capability. With its capacity to handle 20 operations per month, VLCC tankers will only need to moor once to the TVB Terminal, to then be loaded by multiple consecutive DP shuttle tankers with various sized cargo volumes.
SafeSTS Chief Executive Yvonne Gilchrist-Mason OBE, DL believes the TVB Terminal system heralds a long awaited leap in global ship-to-ship transfer technology, saying:
"When compared to all other transhipment options, this concept delivers safety, commercial, and efficiency benefits, as well as a potentially significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, thereby contributing to climate change targets under the Paris Climate Agreement.
Whilst the system is primarily aimed at existing markets, the concept has the capability to create new opportunities in areas where DP shuttle vessels have not previously operated, and where environmental regulations or conditions restrict traditional ship-to-ship transfers. When combining our TVB concept with Vaholmen's unique VOC handling concept we are providing an exceptional opportunity for our clients to reduce their CO2 footprint."