Multigas vessel Bahrain Vision — built in China in 2011.

I.M.Skaugen SE pioneers seaborne transportation of small-scale LNG

I.M. Skaugen SE focuses on innovative maritime solutions and has long held a strong position as a marine transportation service company. It has built its business in seaborne transport and logistics of liquefied gas, such as petrochemical gases and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Boasting of a prominent position in marine transportation, I.M. Skaugen operates about 40 vessels worldwide that are engaged in the transportation of petrochemical gases, chemicals, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and LNG, the marine transfer of crude oil and liquid nitrogen, as well as the management of an LNG terminal.

As a pioneer in those fields, I.M. Skaugen has held an in-house capacity for the development and design of specialized high quality vessels. It is also listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker code, IMSK.

I.M. Skaugen CEO Morits Skaugen, a third-generation descendant, took the helm of the company 20 years ago and has since expanded its global presence with a strong focus on Asian markets, particularly in China and the Middle East.

For nearly two decades, the company has expanded into China, from passenger cruise activities during the mid-1980s’ to transportation of petrochemical gases, crew training, and recruitment and shipbuilding programs. About 70 percent of its 2,000 employees are Chinese.

“We wanted to be close to our clients and saw that Asia was going to be a very important market. After doing our due diligence, we selected China as an ideal location for launching future operations. I had no idea of the real magnitude and pace of growth in China, but it was not hard to see that it was a country that had built up a huge demand. Looking back, we made the right decision,” said Skaugen.

Since the delivery of its first Chinese-built vessel in China in 1999, more vessels have been built for its gas activities, which include six Multi-gas vessels that are technically advanced carriers, which can carry LNG in addition to petrochemical gases such as ethylene, propylene and butadiene. The company is planning to build four more Multigas carriers.

Skaugen CEO Morits Skaugen

“Our goal is to deliver LNG to places where no pipelines can reach. I have much confidence in the country and it will continue to play an important part in our growth,” he said.

Combined with an extensive global network, I.M. Skaugen has enhanced its role as a trailblazer in global shipping with one of the most modern and advanced fleets in the sector. Innovation stands at the core of its strategy by designing its own ships with a continuous drive to stay technologically ahead of the competition.

Among its activities in China is the Wuhan University of Technology-Skaugen Training and Consulting program, which was established in 1998 to train seafarers in the handling and transportation of dangerous cargo, including liquid petroleum gases, chemicals and oil products, as well as to maintain sea vessels.

The center has trained over 36,000 seamen. About half of its Norgas fleet has been manned by a Chinese crew, and most have trained at the center.

“The idea of creating the training facility was intended to provide Chinese seafarers international experiences. We knew what we needed and what other companies were going to need. The education applies not only to its operations, but also to third parties,” Skaugen said.

Norgas Fleet Management is responsible for the development of the crew, training and fleet management services that include internal and external customers. Another joint venture, Shenghui Gas & Chemical Systems, makes non-standard pressure vessels, spherical tanks, cryogenic steel structures and gas cargo plant systems for the refinery and petrochemical industry.

The company continues to expand globally and the Middle East remains important as part of its East of Suez strategy.

“We know that the Chinese and Gulf nations are doing more business with each other, so we intend to be the bridge that will close the gap between the two,” Skaugen added.

www.skaugen.com