Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Tema LNG Terminal Company (TLTC) was unable to enter China to undertake an owner’s review of its new Floating Regasification Unit (FRU) prior to the vessel’s release from the Jiangnan Shipyard in Shanghai. To avoid costly project delays, TLTC engaged SGS to undertake the final review on their behalf.
A Vital Part of the Tema LNG Project
The Tema LNG project is sub-Saharan Africa’s first offshore LNG-receiving terminal. Once operational, the project will connect Ghana and the West African region to the global LNG market, giving local economies and industries access to a cheaper, more reliable and cleaner source of energy.
The new FRU, an essential part of the project, will be equipped with two 14,000 cu m type-C cargo tanks and have a regasification capacity of 335 tons per hour.
SGS Helps Avoid Project Delays with Global Inspections
Before the vessel could be cleared for its final release from the shipyard, a full owner’s review inspection was required. Unable to conduct the inspection due to COVID-19 restrictions preventing their team from entering China, TLTC called on SGS’s global reach and inspection expertise.
With a presence in Shanghai, SGS was able to keep the project afloat by conducting a full inspection of the FRU at the Jiangnan Shipyard, including assessments of the hull, topside and all machinery.
Local Expertise
The SGS team in China consisted of local experts in piping, commissioning, coating, processing, mechanical, structural, electrical and control/instrumentation, who were all headed by a Team Lead. The team worked remotely with TLTC to ensure the client was fully informed of the status of all activities and timelines.
The SGS review included:
- Daily status calls
- Preparing, reviewing and clearing punch lists
- Ensuring punch list items and matters were completed on time
- Physical inspections to ensure specifications were met
- Witnessing of run/functional testing of main components
- Documentation review
Laura Wakeham, Global Head of Industrial Supply Chain Services at SGS, said, “The SGS team in China and across Asia are available to support clients to avoid costly delays or non-conformance of their vessels, modules or equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
About SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.
