New LNG Terminal in Busy Central American Port Increase Safety with Sealite Aids to Navigation

Downloads

> Case Study | ENGLISH
> Case Study | LATIN SPANISH

Background

Port of Acajutla, only 53 miles (86km) from San Salvador, stores and transports bulk goods such as grains, sugar, molasses, fertilizers, iron and steel productions, and fuel. It is also home to the biggest energy infrastructure to introduce a cleaner, more efficient energy source to El Salvador.

Energia Del Pacifico (EDP) is a 378-MW power plant located onshore of Port of Acajutla. Along with the new power plant, a Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) was developed as part of the LNG-to-Power project and is the first offshore regasification unit off the Pacific Coast of Central America. This will be used to regasify and transfer liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the natural gas-fired power plant.

The Challenge

The FSRU is a permanently moored terminal 3/4 mile (1.2km) offshore at the Port of Acajutla. It will receive ship-to-ship deliveries from LNG carriers in a semi-cooled state by cryogenic hoses. LNG is regasified or re-heated to its original gaseous state onboard the FSRU before transporting directly to the power plant by a sub-sea pipeline in the Port of Acajutla.

EDP identified the need to mark the location of the pipeline in the busy port. Aids to Navigation (AtoNs) would help marine traffic from entering the marked areas.

Solution

Energia Del Pacifico approached Sealite for Aids to Navigation (AtoN) recommendations for the new LNG terminal, as well as Port of Acajutla’s access channel. Based on their requirements and local sea conditions, Sealite worked with EDP to identify the best solution and meet International Assocation of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA) standard 0-139.

To demarcate the pipeline safety zone, Sealite’s SL-B2600 Atlantic Special Mark Buoys were deployed. The SL-B2600 Atlantic Ocean Buoy is lightweight and highly visible because Sealite buoys are rotationally molded from UV-stabilized virgin polyethylene. The yellow color remains vibrant over the life of the buoy. It has twin lifting and mooring eyes interconnected by a stainless steel bar through the hull. This gives the superior strength while remaining lightweight and easily deployable.

The SL-B2600 Atlantic was also installed at Port of Acajutla’s access channel, but in the region’s Port Hand configuration. The ocean buoys were equipped with Sealite’s SL-C510 solar LED Marine Lanterns to complete the AtoN solution. Its maximum intensity of over 1100 candelas and 5-9NM range ensures buoys’ visibility when passing the AtoN at night and in foul weather. Its LED optics offers high operating efficiency and with Bluetooth Connectivity a standard option, maintenance staff can monitor the lights performance up to 50m away on their mobile devices.

To complement the buoys, Sealite supplied mooring chain for all six buoys.

Outcome

Choosing polyethylene (PE) buoys over existing metal buoys reduced maintenance and increased operator safety by obtaining parameter readings via Bluetooth. Monitoring buoy and lighting performance through the SealitePro App opens the door for potential active remote monitoring of AtoNs.

Since the installation of Sealite’s PE buoys and state-of-the-art marine lanterns, EDP has increased the safety of maritime operations surrounding the FSRU while complying with local and international AtoN regulations by the Salvadorean Port Authority, Comisión Ejecutiva Portuaria Autónoma (CEPA), and IALA.

“Sealite is honored to assist EDP to comply with IALA standards and regulations for this strategic LNG terminal operation that introduces natural gas as a source of energy to El Salvador.”

– Luis Velasquez, Business Development Manager, Marine LAC, SPX Aids to Navigation