Andreas Ask steers the world’s first LNG bunkering vessel in the port of Turku
Swedish shipmaster Andreas Ask has over two years of rare experience in bunkering LNG from ship to ship. The work is done without leaving the port of Turku, where he practically lives for the duration of his two-week shift.
At 6.40 a.m., shipmaster Andreas Ask is ready to go. He starts the 50-metre Seagas vessel at berth 32, and in the engine room, compressors get the MAN B&W engine running.
From the bridge, Andreas looks down on what makes the ship special: a long, white gas container holding about 60 tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or liquefied biogas (LBG). It has been delivered from the Gasum LNG terminal in Pori, and Andreas and his three-person crew are tasked with transporting the cargo to a Viking Line passenger ship awaiting fuelling in the port of Turku.
It’s a short journey, only a few hundred metres, but there are challenges.
The first of which is the tight schedule. The Sweden-bound vessel will only stay in port a short while and bunkering takes about 45 minutes, so everything must run smoothly.
The second challenge is the care required of Andreas and his crew. Liquefied gas is at -160 degrees Celsius. If it touches skin, you get freeze burns.
The world’s first LNG bunkering vessel
In a full gas load, the Seagas glides peacefully in the Turku harbour area. This is the part of the work that Andreas likes most of all.
“Steering the vessel is difficult enough to require concentration. At the same time, it is cool to feel in control of a big vessel”, the shipmaster from Stockholm states. In total, he has 12 years of experience in bunkering LNG, the past two of which have taken place in the port of Turku.
Last winter, the biggest challenge was the exceptional amount of ice even in the harbour.
“At times, I was doubtful if we would get through it, but we made it every day!”
The Seagas was built as a car ferry in 1974 and retrofitted as the world’s first LNG fuelling vessel at a Norwegian shipyard in 2012. It was owned by AGA/Linde until 2020, when it was bought by Gasum. The vessel is operated by Sirius Shipping, Andreas’ employer.
Over 4,000 successes
Fuelling begins at 7.35 a.m. The Seagas personnel that perform the task are wearing protective equipment, such as helmets with visors, special shoes and gloves. They use a small crane to move the nozzle of the gas pipe from the Seagas deck to the Viking Line fuelling hatch, where the ship personnel will connect it.
“In order to empty the container fast, the gas comes out with plenty of pressure. When you disconnect the pipe, you have to ensure that there is no pressure left. Safety is extremely important”, Andreas explains.
The Seagas personnel have been successful in their work. They have done over 4,000 bunkerings without accidents.
Swedish TPS supporters
After fuelling, Andreas steers the Seagas back to berth 32.
Soon three trucks arrive, bringing the next gas load from Pori. The gas is bunkered into the Seagas container, so that it is ready for the ship arriving from Sweden in the evening.
It still isn’t time, though, for Andreas and crew to rest.
“Our work includes the maintenance of the ship from cooking to cleaning and engine maintenance. The work is very independent and varied, and perhaps that is why I like it here so much. On bigger vessels, the tasks are more specialised”, the shipmaster ponders.
In the afternoon, the crew have a few hours off, and Andreas may use that time to go to the gym.
“We have also visited the maritime museum and the castle or just walked around the city. We have a good group and enjoy each other’s company.”
There is a TPS flag on the back wall of the bridge.
“We have gone to see their games. You need to support your local team: after all, we are almost residents of Turku”, Andreas laughs.
After his two-week shift, Andreas flies home to his family in Stockholm for two weeks off.
Text and photos: Sari Järvinen
