In this study, a pile-guide mooring system (PGMS) was designed for an offshore liquefied natural gas bunkering terminal (LNG-BT), which is an essential infrastructure for large LNG-fuelled ships. The PGMS consisted of guide piles to restrict five moti...
In this study, a pile-guide mooring system (PGMS) was designed for an offshore liquefied natural gas bunkering terminal (LNG-BT), which is an essential infrastructure for large LNG-fuelled ships. The PGMS consisted of guide piles to restrict five motions of the floater, except for heave, as well as a seabed truss structure to support the guide piles and foundation piles to fix the system to the seabed. Singapore port was considered for a case study because it is a highly probable ports for LNG bunkering projects. The wave height, current speed, and wind speed in Singapore port were investigated to calculate the environmental loads acting on the hull and PGMS. A load and resistance factor approach was used for the structural design, and a finite element analysis was performed for design verification. The steel usage of the PGMS was analyzed and compared with the material usage of a gravity-based structure under similar LNG capacity and water depth criteria. This paper also describes the water depth limit and wave conditions of the PGMS based on estimation of the initial investment and the present value profit difference. It suggests a suitable LNG-BT support system for various design conditions.