JP7578472B2 - Ship fuel supply method, fuel supply source ship, and ship fuel supply system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from a fuel supplier ship to a fuel destination ship, a fuel supplier ship, and a ship fuel supply system.

Conventionally, there is known a technology for supplying fuel from a fuel source ship, which is a ship that supplies fuel, to a fuel destination ship, which is a ship to which the fuel is supplied. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which a bunker ship (fuel source ship) equipped with a fuel tank pulls alongside a fuel recipient ship (fuel destination ship) and performs bunkering (fuel supply) to the fuel recipient ship.

JP 2020-37360 A

In the conventional technology disclosed in the above Patent Document 1, a bunker ship dedicated to the purpose of fuel supply (hereinafter also referred to as a dedicated bunkering ship) is used as the fuel supplier ship to supply fuel to the destination ship. For this reason, the above conventional technology requires the construction, ownership or use of a dedicated bunkering ship, and a fuel shipping berth for the dedicated bunkering ship.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems, and aims to provide a ship fuel supply method, a fuel supply source ship, and a ship fuel supply system that can supply fuel to a fuel supply destination ship without using a dedicated bunkering ship.

In order to achieve the above object, a ship fuel supply method according to one embodiment of the present invention is a ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from a fuel source ship, which is a ship that supplies fuel, to a fuel destination ship, which is a ship to which the fuel is to be supplied, and includes a fuel loading process for loading a storage facility that stores fuel and is transported by a fuel carrier onto the fuel source ship, and a fuel supply process for supplying the fuel from the storage facility loaded onto the fuel source ship to the fuel destination ship.

According to this, the ship fuel supply method includes a fuel loading process of loading the storage equipment transported by the fuel carrier onto the fuel source ship, and a fuel supply process of supplying fuel from the storage equipment on the fuel source ship to the fuel destination ship. In this way, fuel can be supplied to the fuel destination ship by using a fuel source ship that can be equipped with the storage equipment transported by the fuel carrier. This makes it possible to supply fuel to the fuel destination ship without using a dedicated bunkering ship.

In addition, in the fuel loading process, the storage equipment may be transported to the fuel supplier vessel by the fuel transport vehicle, and the fuel transport vehicle together with the storage equipment may be loaded onto the fuel supplier vessel.

According to this, in the fuel loading process, the fuel carrier is loaded onto the fuel supplier vessel together with the storage equipment. This allows the storage equipment to be loaded onto the fuel supplier vessel by loading the fuel carrier onto the fuel supplier vessel without removing the storage equipment from the fuel carrier, making it possible to easily load the storage equipment onto the fuel supplier vessel.

In addition, in the fuel loading process, the storage facility may be transported to the fuel source vessel by the fuel transport vehicle, and after the storage facility is loaded onto the fuel source vessel, the fuel transport vehicle may be moved away from the fuel source vessel.

According to this, in the fuel loading process, after the storage facility is loaded onto the fuel source vessel, the fuel carrier is separated from the fuel source vessel. This allows the fuel carrier to be separated from the fuel source vessel, so that the fuel, such as gasoline, used to power the fuel carrier can be separated from the fuel source vessel (or the fuel in the storage facility). In addition, the fuel carrier separated from the fuel source vessel can be used for transporting fuel to the next storage facility.

In addition, during the fuel loading process, the storage facility may be fixed to the cargo loading space or on the deck of the fuel supplier ship.

According to this, during the fuel loading process, the storage equipment can be easily installed on the fuel supplier vessel by fixing the storage equipment to the cargo loading space or deck of the fuel supplier vessel.

The method may further include a fuel supply equipment installation process for installing fuel supply equipment on the fuel supplier ship, the fuel supply equipment being connected to the storage equipment and the fuel destination ship, thereby enabling the fuel to be supplied from the storage equipment to the fuel destination ship.

According to this, the ship fuel supply method includes a fuel supply equipment installation step of installing a fuel supply equipment in a fuel supply source ship that can supply fuel from a storage facility to a fuel supply destination ship. This makes it possible to easily supply fuel from the fuel supply source ship to the fuel supply destination ship by using the fuel supply equipment.

In addition, in the fuel supply equipment installation process, the fuel supply equipment may be fixed to the cargo loading space or on the deck of the fuel supply source ship.

According to this, in the fuel supply equipment installation process, the fuel supply equipment can be easily installed on the fuel supplier vessel by fixing the fuel supply equipment to the cargo loading space or on the deck of the fuel supplier vessel.

In addition, in the fuel supply equipment installation process, the fuel supply equipment may be fixed to a fuel supply equipment installation member that is located in a position closest to the connection port of the fuel supply destination vessel, or may be moved to a fuel supply equipment installation member that is located in a position closest to the connection port and fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member.

According to this, in the fuel supply equipment installation process, the fuel supply equipment is fixed or moved to the fuel supply equipment installation member closest to the connection port of the fuel destination vessel and then fixed thereto. This allows the fuel supply equipment to be easily connected to the connection port of the fuel destination vessel, making it possible to easily supply fuel from the storage equipment to the fuel destination vessel. It also makes it possible to prevent the length of connecting members such as flexible hoses required to connect the storage equipment and the fuel destination vessel from increasing.

In addition, a fuel supply source vessel according to one aspect of the present invention is a fuel supply source vessel that supplies fuel to a fuel supply destination vessel, which is a vessel to which fuel is supplied, and includes a fuel mounting member for mounting a storage facility that stores fuel and is transported by a fuel carrier, and a fuel supply equipment installation member for installing a fuel supply equipment capable of supplying the fuel from the storage facility mounted on the fuel supply source vessel to the fuel supply destination vessel.

According to this, the fuel supplier vessel is equipped with a fuel loading member for loading the storage equipment transported by the fuel carrier, and a fuel supply equipment installation member for installing fuel supply equipment capable of supplying fuel from the storage equipment to the fuel destination vessel. In this way, by using a fuel supplier vessel capable of loading the storage equipment and installing the fuel supply equipment, it is possible to supply fuel to the fuel destination vessel. This makes it possible to supply fuel to the fuel destination vessel without using a dedicated bunkering vessel.

The present invention can be realized not only as such a ship fuel supply method and fuel supply source ship, but also as a ship fuel supply system that includes a fuel supply source ship, a storage facility, and a fuel supply facility.

The present invention provides a ship fuel supply method that can supply fuel to a fuel supply destination ship without using a dedicated bunkering vessel.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a fuel supplier vessel according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a marine vessel fuel supply system according to an embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing each step of a ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from a fuel supplier ship to a fuel destination ship according to an embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a fuel storage process and a fuel loading process in the ship fuel supply method according to the embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a fuel loading process and a fuel supply equipment installation process in the ship fuel supply method according to the embodiment. 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a fuel supply process in the ship fuel supply method according to the embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a fuel loading process in a ship fuel supply method according to a modified example of an embodiment. 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating a fuel loading process in a ship fuel supply method according to a modified example of an embodiment.

Below, with reference to the drawings, a ship fuel supply method, a fuel supply source ship, and a ship fuel supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention (including its modified examples) will be described. Note that the embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps in the method, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Furthermore, the dimensions in each drawing are not strictly shown.

(Embodiment)
[1 Description of the fuel supplier ship 10 and the ship fuel supply system 1]
The configurations of the fuel supply source vessel 10 and the vessel fuel supply system 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 etc. Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the fuel supply source vessel 10 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 1(a) shows the appearance of the fuel supply source vessel 10, and Figure 1(b) shows each component of the fuel supply source vessel 10. Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the vessel fuel supply system 1 according to this embodiment. Specifically, Figure 2(a) shows the appearance of the vessel fuel supply system 1, and Figure 2(b) shows each component of the vessel fuel supply system 1.

1.1 Description of the fuel supplier vessel 10
First, the configuration of the fuel supplier vessel 10 will be described in detail. The fuel supplier vessel 10 is a vessel that supplies fuel, and supplies fuel to a fuel destination vessel 60 (see FIG. 6), which is a vessel to which the fuel is to be supplied. In other words, the fuel supplier vessel 10 is a vessel that can supply fuel (bunkering supply) to the fuel destination vessel 60 by a so-called Ship-to-Ship method. For example, the fuel supplier vessel 10 is a vessel such as a ferry, a small ferry, a bulk carrier, or a barge that can carry large vehicles such as tank trucks.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fuel supply source vessel 10 includes a deck 100, a fuel carrying member 200 arranged on the deck 100, and a fuel supply equipment installation member 300.

The ship's floor 100 is a floor or deck on which cargo is placed, to which the fuel mounting member 200 and the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 are attached. The ship's floor 100 may be any part to which the fuel mounting member 200 and the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 can be attached, and the position, size, shape, etc. of the ship's floor 100 within the fuel supply source ship 10 are not particularly limited. For example, the ship's floor 100 may be arranged across multiple floors within the fuel supply source ship 10, and the fuel mounting member 200 may be attached to one of the ship's floors 100, and the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 may be attached to one of the other ship's floors 100.

The fuel mounting member 200 is a member for mounting the storage facility 20 (see Figs. 2, 4, etc.) transported by the fuel transport vehicle 40 (see Figs. 2, 4, etc.) on the fuel supplier ship 10, and is attached on the ship's floor 100. A detailed description of the storage facility 20 and the fuel transport vehicle 40 will be described later. In this embodiment, the fuel mounting member 200 mounts the storage facility 20 on the fuel supplier ship 10 together with the fuel transport vehicle 40 carrying the storage facility 20. For example, the fuel mounting member 200 has fixing members such as a car stopper or chain that restricts the movement of the vehicle, and fixes the fuel transport vehicle 40 carrying the storage facility 20 on the ship's floor 100. In other words, the fuel mounting member 200 fixes the storage facility 20 to the cargo loading space or deck of the fuel supplier ship 10.

In this embodiment, four fuel mounting members 200 are arranged in the center of the width at the front (bow), center (midships), and rear (stern) of the ship's floor 100, so that a total of 12 fuel mounting members 200 are attached to the ship's floor 100. Note that the arrangement positions and number of the fuel mounting members 200 are not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration in which only one fuel mounting member 200 is arranged may be used.

The fuel supply equipment installation member 300 is a member for installing the fuel supply equipment 30 (see FIG. 2, etc.) on the fuel supplier ship 10, and is attached to the deck 100. A detailed description of the fuel supply equipment 30 will be given later. For example, the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 has fixing members such as bolts, nuts, and chains, and fixes the fuel supply equipment 30 on the deck 100. In other words, the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 fixes the fuel supply equipment 30 to the cargo loading space or deck of the fuel supplier ship 10.

In this embodiment, fuel supply equipment installation members 300 are arranged on the starboard and port sides at the front (bow), center (midships), and rear (stern) of the ship's floor 100, respectively, for a total of six fuel supply equipment installation members 300 attached to the ship's floor 100. In this way, the fuel supply equipment installation members 300 are arranged in various locations on the ship's floor 100 so that the fuel supply equipment 30 can be arranged in a position close to the connection port 61 (see Figure 6) of the fuel supply destination ship 60. The arrangement position and number of the fuel supply equipment installation members 300 are not particularly limited, and for example, a configuration in which only one fuel supply equipment installation member 300 is arranged may be used.

[1.2 Description of the ship fuel supply system 1]
Next, a detailed description will be given of the configuration of the ship fuel supply system 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the ship fuel supply system 1 includes the above-mentioned fuel supply source ship 10, a storage facility 20, a fuel transport vehicle 40, and a fuel supply facility 30.

The storage facility 20 is a facility (storage tank) that stores fuel such as liquefied natural gas (hereinafter referred to as LNG), hydrogen, or oil. The storage facility 20 has a configuration that allows the fuel to be filled at the shipping base 50 (see FIG. 4) of the fuel. As described above, the storage facility 20 is transported by the fuel carrier 40 and mounted on the fuel supplier ship 10. In other words, the storage facility 20 is fixed to the fuel loading member 200 on the deck 100 together with the fuel carrier 40 while being loaded on the fuel carrier 40, and is mounted on the fuel supplier ship 10. The size, shape, structure, etc. of the storage facility 20 are not particularly limited as long as the storage facility 20 is capable of storing fuel and can be transported by the fuel carrier 40. The storage facility 20 may be configured to be removable and attachable to the fuel carrier 40, or may be configured to be non-removable from the fuel carrier 40.

The fuel transport vehicle 40 is a vehicle that carries and transports the storage facility 20. As described above, the fuel transport vehicle 40 carries the storage facility 20 filled with fuel, transports the storage facility 20 to the fuel supplier ship 10, and is mounted on the fuel supplier ship 10 together with the storage facility 20. In other words, the fuel transport vehicle 40, with the storage facility 20 loaded, is fixed to the fuel mounting member 200 on the deck 100 together with the storage facility 20, and is mounted on the fuel supplier ship 10. The fuel transport vehicle 40 is not particularly limited as long as it is a vehicle that can carry and transport the storage facility 20, but an example of a fuel transport vehicle 40 loaded with the storage facility 20 is a tanker truck.

In this embodiment, the fuel transport vehicle 40 carries and transports one storage facility 20, but it may be configured to carry and transport multiple storage facilities 20. Also, in FIG. 2, one set of storage facility 20 and fuel transport vehicle 40 is attached to each of all fuel carrying members 200, but it is sufficient that one set of storage facility 20 and fuel transport vehicle 40 is attached to at least one fuel carrying member 200. In other words, the fuel supplier ship 10 may be configured to only be equipped with one set of storage facility 20 and fuel transport vehicle 40.

The fuel supply equipment 30 is equipment capable of supplying fuel from the storage equipment 20 installed on the fuel supply source vessel 10 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60. As described above, the fuel supply equipment 30 is fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 on the ship floor 100 and installed on the fuel supply source vessel 10. Specifically, the fuel supply equipment 30 is configured to be connectable to the storage equipment 20 and the fuel supply destination vessel 60, and is configured to be able to supply fuel from the storage equipment 20 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60 by connecting to the storage equipment 20 installed on the fuel supply source vessel 10 and the fuel supply destination vessel 60. In this embodiment, the fuel supply equipment 30 is configured to be connected to multiple (two) storage equipment 20 and the fuel supply destination vessel 60, and is configured to be able to supply fuel from the multiple (two) storage equipment 20 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60.

The fuel supply equipment 30 has a connection member 31 such as a pipe or a flexible hose that can be connected to the storage equipment 20, and a connection member 32 (not shown in FIG. 2, see FIG. 6) such as a flexible hose (with an emergency release device) that can be connected to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60. The fuel supply equipment 30 supplies fuel from the storage equipment 20 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60 via these connection members 31 and 32.

2, one fuel supply equipment 30 is attached to each of all fuel supply equipment installation members 300, but it is sufficient that one fuel supply equipment 30 is attached to at least one fuel supply equipment installation member 300. In other words, the fuel supply source ship 10 may be configured to have only one fuel supply equipment 30 installed. The size, shape, structure, etc. of the fuel supply equipment 30 are not particularly limited as long as the equipment is capable of connecting the storage equipment 20 and the fuel supply destination ship 60. In addition, the number of storage equipment 20 to which the fuel supply equipment 30 can be connected is also not particularly limited, and the fuel supply equipment 30 may be configured to be connectable to three or more storage equipment 20, or may be configured to be connectable to only one storage equipment 20.

[2. Description of ship fuel supply method]
Next, a ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from a fuel source ship 10, which is a ship that supplies fuel, to a fuel destination ship 60, which is a ship that receives the fuel, will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing each step of the ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from the fuel source ship 10 to the fuel destination ship 60 according to this embodiment.

Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the fuel storage process and the fuel loading process in the ship fuel supply method according to this embodiment. Specifically, (a) of Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the fuel storage process, and (b) of Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the fuel loading process. Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the fuel loading process and the fuel supply equipment installation process in the ship fuel supply method according to this embodiment. Specifically, (a) and (b) of Figure 5 correspond to (a) and (b) of Figure 2 described above. Figure 6 is a diagram for explaining the fuel supply process in the ship fuel supply method according to this embodiment. Specifically, (a) of Figure 6 shows the external appearance of the ship fuel supply system 1 (fuel supply source ship 10) and the fuel supply destination ship 60, and (b) of Figure 6 shows the configuration for supplying fuel from the ship fuel supply system 1 (fuel supply source ship 10) to the fuel supply destination ship 60.

First, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4(a), as a fuel storage process, the fuel is filled into a storage facility 20 that can be transported by a fuel transport vehicle 40 at a fuel shipping base 50 (S102). The shipping base 50 is a facility in which large tanks and the like are installed that store fuel such as LNG, hydrogen, or oil. In this embodiment, the storage facility 20 is filled with fuel while it is loaded onto the fuel transport vehicle 40, but the storage facility 20 may also be loaded onto the fuel transport vehicle 40 after the storage facility 20 is filled with fuel.

Next, as shown in Figures 3, 4(b) and 5, as a fuel loading process, the storage facility 20 storing the fuel, which has been transported by the fuel transport vehicle 40, is loaded onto the fuel supplier ship 10 (S104).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(b), the storage facility 20 is transported to the fuel supplier ship 10 by a fuel transport vehicle 40. In other words, the fuel transport vehicle 40 carrying the storage facility 20 is driven to the quay of the port where the fuel supplier ship 10 is anchored, and the storage facility 20 is transported to the fuel supplier ship 10.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the fuel carrier 40 carrying the storage equipment 20 is fixed to the fuel carrying member 200, thereby mounting the storage equipment 20 on the fuel supplier ship 10. Note that FIG. 5(b) shows, as an example, a state in which four storage equipment 20 are mounted on the fuel supplier ship 10 by fixing four fuel carriers 40 to four fuel carrying members 200a arranged at the front (bow) of the ship's floor 100.

In this way, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage facility 20 is transported to the fuel supplier ship 10 by the fuel carrier 40, and the fuel carrier 40 is loaded onto the fuel supplier ship 10 together with the storage facility 20. Also, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage facility 20 is fixed to the cargo loading space or on the deck of the fuel supplier ship 10.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5(b), the fuel supply equipment 30 is installed in the fuel supplier ship 10 as a fuel supply equipment installation process (S106). Specifically, the fuel supply equipment 30 is installed in the fuel supplier ship 10 by fixing the fuel supply equipment 30 to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 attached on the ship's floor 100. Note that FIG. 5(b) shows, as an example, a state in which two fuel supply equipment 30 are installed in the fuel supplier ship 10 by fixing two fuel supply equipment 30 to two fuel supply equipment installation members 300a arranged on the starboard side and port side at the front (bow) of the ship's floor 100. Thus, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 is fixed to the cargo loading space or on the deck of the fuel supplier ship 10.

The fuel supply equipment 30 may be transported to the fuel supply source ship 10 together with the storage equipment 20 by a fuel transport vehicle 40, or may be transported to the fuel supply source ship 10 by another vehicle. The fuel supply equipment 30 may be stored in a warehouse or the like on the fuel supply source ship 10 when not in use, and moved to the ship's floor 100 and secured to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 when in use.

Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 6, as a fuel supply process, fuel is supplied from the storage facility 20 installed on the fuel supply source vessel 10 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60 (S108). The fuel supply destination vessel 60 may be any vessel that receives fuel supply from the fuel supply source vessel 10, and may be, for example, an ocean-going vessel or a coastal vessel such as a container ship or a ferry. As shown in Figure 6, the fuel supply source vessel 10 is brought alongside the fuel supply destination vessel 60 that is anchored at an anchorage or berth at sea, and fuel is supplied from the storage facility 20 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60 by the fuel supply facility 30.

Specifically, the connection member 31 of the fuel supply equipment 30 is connected to the storage equipment 20, and the connection member 32 of the fuel supply equipment 30 is connected to the connection port 61 of the fuel destination vessel 60, and fuel is supplied from the storage equipment 20 to the fuel destination vessel 60 via the connection members 31 and 32. The connection port 61 is a connection port (supply port, fuel supply port) of a manifold installed in the fuel destination vessel 60 to supply fuel to the fuel destination vessel 60. When connecting the connection member 32 to the connection port 61 of the fuel destination vessel 60, the fuel supply source vessel 10 is moored so that the position of the fuel supply equipment 30 and the position of the connection port 61 are aligned, the connection member 32 is handed over to the fuel destination vessel 60 side by a crane, and the connection member 32 is connected to the connection port 61 on the fuel destination vessel 60 side.

In FIG. 6, the fuel supplier vessel 10 is moored alongside the fuel destination vessel 60 with the bow of the fuel supplier vessel 10 facing the fuel destination vessel 60 (bow-to-boat). For this reason, the fuel supply equipment 30 (as well as the storage equipment 20 and the fuel carrier 40) connected to the fuel destination vessel 60 is preferably located near the connection port 61 of the fuel destination vessel 60, and is therefore located at the bow of the fuel supplier vessel 10.

That is, in the above-mentioned fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 is fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300a arranged at a position closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60. Alternatively, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 is moved to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300a arranged at a position closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60 and fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300. In this way, the fuel supply equipment 30 is portable and is arranged at a position closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60 on the ship's floor 100 depending on the position of the fuel supply destination vessel 60. Similarly, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage equipment 20 and the fuel transport vehicle 40 are fixed to the fuel loading member 200a arranged at a position closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60.

The method of bringing the fuel supply source vessel 10 alongside the fuel supply destination vessel 60 may be berthing alongside or berthing at the stern, rather than berthing at the bow. Even in this case, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 is fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 that is located closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60. Also, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage equipment 20 and the fuel transport vehicle 40 are fixed to the fuel loading member 200a that is located closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60.

[3. Description of Effects]
As described above, the ship fuel supply method according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a fuel loading step (S104) of loading the storage facility 20 transported by the fuel transport vehicle 40 onto the fuel source ship 10, and a fuel supply step (S108) of supplying fuel from the storage facility 20 on the fuel source ship 10 to the fuel destination ship 60. In this way, by using the fuel source ship 10 capable of mounting the storage facility 20 transported by the fuel transport vehicle 40, it is possible to supply fuel to the fuel destination ship 60. This makes it possible to supply fuel to the fuel destination ship 60 without using a dedicated bunkering ship.

Therefore, there is no need to build, own or use a dedicated bunkering vessel, and there is also no need for a dedicated fuel shipping berth for the dedicated bunkering vessel. A dedicated fuel shipping berth is generally shared with ocean-going vessels or is located close to an ocean-going vessel dedicated berth, so it is necessary to coordinate the use schedule of the ocean-going vessel and the berth. However, by eliminating the need for a dedicated fuel shipping berth, there is no need to adjust the use schedule. And, because there is no need to adjust the use schedule, the time when fuel is supplied to the fuel destination vessel 60 can be flexibly adjusted, increasing convenience.

Furthermore, the fuel supplier ship 10 capable of mounting the storage facility 20 (capable of mounting the fuel carrier 40) and the fuel carrier 40 such as a tanker truck are both technologies with established safety standards, so safety can be ensured. In particular, the demand for small ferries that can be used as the fuel supplier ship 10 has decreased due to the development of road networks, so it will be possible to utilize such small ferries (second-hand small ferries), which is expected to improve economic efficiency. Furthermore, if a fuel carrier 40 can be owned or dispatched, it will be possible to enter the fuel supply business (bunkering supply business) to the fuel destination ship 60, lowering the barrier to entry into the bunkering supply business.

Fuel can be supplied (bunkering supply) to the fuel destination vessel 60 even when the fuel destination vessel 60 is loading or disembarking passengers, and the operating rate of the fuel destination vessel 60 can be prevented from decreasing. Bunkering supply can also be performed at the anchorage of the fuel destination vessel 60. Since the fuel supplier vessel 10 only needs to move in a straight line over the sea toward the fuel destination vessel 60, the travel distance is shorter than when a truck (tanker truck) moves on land to supply fuel, which increases travel efficiency and widens the range of activities. In this way, the range of times and places when bunkering supply can be performed is wider. Furthermore, when the storage facility 20 is disembarked from the fuel supplier vessel 10, the fuel supplier vessel 10 is no longer carrying dangerous goods, so crew changes can be performed even when cargo is not being loaded.

In addition, in the fuel loading process (S104), the fuel transport vehicle 40 is loaded onto the fuel supplier ship 10 together with the storage facility 20. This allows the storage facility 20 to be loaded onto the fuel supplier ship 10 by loading the fuel transport vehicle 40 onto the fuel supplier ship 10 without removing the storage facility 20 from the fuel transport vehicle 40, so that the storage facility 20 can be loaded onto the fuel supplier ship 10 easily.

In addition, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage facility 20 can be easily loaded onto the fuel supplier vessel 10 by fixing the storage facility 20 to the cargo loading space or deck of the fuel supplier vessel 10.

The ship fuel supply method also includes a fuel supply equipment installation step (S106) of installing a fuel supply equipment 30 capable of supplying fuel from the storage equipment 20 to the fuel destination ship 60 on the fuel supply source ship 10. As a result, by using the fuel supply equipment 30, fuel can be easily supplied from the fuel supply source ship 10 to the fuel destination ship 60.

In addition, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 can be easily installed on the fuel supply source vessel 10 by fixing the fuel supply equipment 30 to the cargo loading space or on the deck of the fuel supply source vessel 10.

In addition, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 is fixed or moved and fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 that is closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel destination vessel 60. This allows the fuel supply equipment 30 to be easily connected to the connection port 61 of the fuel destination vessel 60, making it possible to easily supply fuel from the storage equipment 20 to the fuel destination vessel 60. In addition, the length of the connection member 32, such as a flexible hose, required to connect the storage equipment 20 and the fuel destination vessel 60 can be prevented from becoming long.

The fuel supply source vessel 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention also includes a fuel mounting member 200 for mounting the storage facility 20 transported by the fuel carrier 40, and a fuel supply facility installation member 300 for installing a fuel supply facility 30 capable of supplying fuel from the storage facility 20 to the fuel supply destination vessel 60. In this way, by using the fuel supply source vessel 10 capable of mounting the storage facility 20 and installing the fuel supply facility 30, it is possible to supply fuel to the fuel supply destination vessel 60. This allows fuel to be supplied to the fuel supply destination vessel 60 without using a dedicated bunkering vessel.

[4. Description of Modifications]
Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams for explaining a fuel loading process in a ship fuel supply method according to a modified example of the present embodiment. Specifically, (a) of Figure 7 corresponds to (b) of Figure 4 and shows the fuel transport vehicle 40 transporting the storage facility 20 to the fuel source ship 10, and (b) of Figure 7 shows the fuel transport vehicle 40 moving away from the fuel source ship 10. (a) and (b) of Figure 8 correspond to (a) and (b) of Figure 5 described above.

In this modified example, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage facility 20 is transported to the fuel supplier vessel 10 by the fuel transport vehicle 40, and after the storage facility 20 is loaded onto the fuel supplier vessel 10, the fuel transport vehicle 40 is moved away from the fuel supplier vessel 10. The other steps of this modified example are the same as those of the above embodiment, and therefore detailed explanations are omitted.

Specifically, as shown in (a) of FIG. 7, the fuel transport vehicle 40 loaded with the storage facility 20 boards the fuel source vessel 10 and transports the storage facility 20 to the fuel source vessel 10, as in the above embodiment. The fuel transport vehicle 40 then unloads the storage facility 20 onto the fuel source vessel 10, and thereafter, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, the fuel transport vehicle 40 disembarks from the fuel source vessel 10 and moves away from the fuel source vessel 10. Thus, unlike the vessel fuel supply system 1 in the above embodiment, the vessel fuel supply system 1a in this modified example does not include a fuel transport vehicle 40.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, the storage facility 20 is mounted on the fuel source vessel 10 by being placed and fixed on the fuel carrying member 200a. Note that the fuel transport vehicle 40 may deliver the storage facility 20 to the fuel source vessel 10 at the quay without boarding the fuel source vessel 10, and may then move away from the fuel source vessel 10 after the delivery.

As described above, the ship fuel supply method according to this modified example can achieve the same effects as the above-mentioned embodiment. In particular, in this modified example, in the fuel loading process (S104), after the storage facility 20 is loaded onto the fuel source ship 10, the fuel carrier 40 is moved away from the fuel source ship 10. This allows the fuel carrier 40 to be moved away from the fuel source ship 10, so that the fuel, such as gasoline, used to power the fuel carrier 40 can be separated from the fuel source ship 10 (or the fuel in the storage facility 20), thereby improving safety. In addition, the fuel carrier 40 moved away from the fuel source ship 10 can be used to transport the next storage facility 20.

(Other Modifications)
The above describes the ship fuel supply method, fuel supply source ship, and ship fuel supply system according to the present embodiment (including its modified examples), but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. In other words, the embodiment disclosed here is illustrative and not restrictive in all respects, and the scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims.

For example, in the above embodiment, in the ship fuel supply method, the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106) is performed after the fuel loading process (S104). However, the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106) may be performed before the fuel supply process (S108), for example, before the fuel loading process (S104) or before the fuel storage process (S102). Alternatively, the fuel supply equipment 30 may be permanently fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 on the deck 100, in which case the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106) is in a state of being performed at all times, and therefore the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106) does not need to be performed in the ship fuel supply method.

In addition, in the above embodiment, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 is fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member 300 that is located closest to the connection port 61 of the fuel supply destination vessel 60. However, in the fuel supply equipment installation process (S106), the fuel supply equipment 30 may be fixed to any fuel supply equipment installation member 300. Similarly, in the fuel loading process (S104), the storage equipment 20 (and the fuel transport vehicle 40) may be fixed to any fuel loading member 200a.

In the above embodiment, the ship fuel supply method includes a fuel supply equipment installation step (S106) of installing the fuel supply equipment 30 in the fuel supply source ship 10. However, the ship fuel supply method may not include the step of installing the fuel supply equipment 30 in the fuel supply source ship 10. In other words, in the fuel supply step (S108), fuel may be supplied from the storage equipment 20 to the fuel supply destination ship 60 by directly connecting the storage equipment 20 and the fuel supply destination ship 60 with a connecting member such as a flexible hose, without installing the fuel supply equipment 30 in the fuel supply source ship 10. In this case, the fuel supply source ship 10 may not be equipped with the fuel supply equipment installation member 300, and the ship fuel supply system 1 may not be equipped with the fuel supply equipment 30.

In addition, configurations constructed by combining any of the components in the above embodiments and their variations are also included within the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be applied to a ship fuel supply method that supplies fuel from a fuel source ship, which is a ship that supplies fuel, to a fuel destination ship, which is a ship to which the fuel is supplied.

Reference Signs List 1, 1a Ship fuel supply system 10 Fuel supply source ship 20 Storage facility 30 Fuel supply facility 31, 32 Connection member 40 Fuel transport vehicle 50 Shipping terminal 60 Fuel supply destination ship 61 Connection port 100 Ship's deck 200, 200a Fuel loading member 300, 300a Fuel supply facility installation member

Claims (11)

A ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from a fuel supply source ship, which is a ship that supplies fuel, to a fuel supply destination ship, which is a ship that receives the fuel, comprising the steps of:
a fuel loading step of loading a storage facility in which fuel is stored, the storage facility being transported by a fuel transport vehicle, onto the fuel supplier ship;
a fuel supply step of supplying the fuel from the storage facility installed in the fuel source vessel to the fuel destination vessel;
a fuel supply equipment installation process for installing a fuel supply equipment in the fuel source vessel, the fuel supply equipment being connected to the storage equipment and the fuel destination vessel, so that the fuel can be supplied from the storage equipment to the fuel destination vessel;
the fuel supply equipment installation step comprises moving the portable fuel supply equipment stored in the fuel source ship to a fuel supply equipment installation member and fixing the portable fuel supply equipment to the fuel supply equipment installation member. A ship fuel supply method for supplying fuel from a fuel supply source ship, which is a ship that supplies fuel, to a fuel supply destination ship, which is a ship that receives the fuel, comprising the steps of:
a fuel loading step of loading a storage facility in which fuel is stored, the storage facility being transported by a fuel transport vehicle, onto the fuel supplier ship;
a fuel supply step of supplying the fuel from the storage facility installed in the fuel source vessel to the fuel destination vessel;
a fuel supply equipment installation process for installing a fuel supply equipment in the fuel source vessel, the fuel supply equipment being connected to the storage equipment and the fuel destination vessel, so that the fuel can be supplied from the storage equipment to the fuel destination vessel;
the fuel supplier vessel includes a plurality of fuel supply equipment installation members that install the fuel supply equipment at a position for supplying the fuel from the storage equipment to the fuel destination vessel,
the fuel supply equipment installation step comprises moving the portable fuel supply equipment to one fuel supply equipment installation member selected from the plurality of fuel supply equipment installation members and fixing the portable fuel supply equipment to the one fuel supply equipment installation member. In the fuel supply equipment installation step,
3. A ship fuel supply method as described in claim 1 or 2, further comprising the steps of: moving the fuel supply equipment and fixing it to one of the plurality of fuel supply equipment installation members depending on the mooring position of the fuel supply destination vessel relative to the fuel supply source vessel . In the fuel supply equipment installation step,
The method for supplying fuel to a ship according to claim 3 , further comprising the steps of: moving the fuel supply equipment to a fuel supply equipment installation member that is disposed in a position closest to a connection port of the fuel supply destination ship and fixing the fuel supply equipment to the fuel supply equipment installation member. In the fuel loading step,
The method for supplying fuel to a ship according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , further comprising transporting the storage facility to the fuel source ship by the fuel transport vehicle, and loading the fuel transport vehicle together with the storage facility onto the fuel source ship. In the fuel loading step,
5. A ship fuel supply method according to claim 1, further comprising transporting the storage facility to the fuel source ship by the fuel transport vehicle, and after the storage facility is loaded onto the fuel source ship, moving the fuel transport vehicle away from the fuel source ship . In the fuel loading step,
The method for supplying fuel to a ship according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the storage facility is fixed to a cargo loading space or on a deck of the fuel supply source ship. In the fuel supply equipment installation step,
The method for supplying fuel to a ship according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the fuel supply equipment is fixed to a cargo loading space or on a deck of the fuel supply source ship. A fuel supplier ship is a ship that supplies fuel to a fuel destination ship, which is a fuel destination ship,
A fuel carrying member for carrying a storage facility that stores fuel and is transported by a fuel transport vehicle;
a fuel supply equipment installation member that installs a fuel supply equipment capable of supplying the fuel from the storage equipment installed in the fuel source vessel to the fuel destination vessel,
The fuel supply equipment installation member is configured so that the portable fuel supply equipment stored in the fuel supply source vessel can be fixed to the fuel supply equipment installation member. A fuel supplier ship is a ship that supplies fuel to a fuel destination ship, which is a fuel destination ship,
A fuel carrying member for carrying a storage facility that stores fuel and is transported by a fuel transport vehicle;
a fuel supply equipment installation member that installs a fuel supply equipment capable of supplying the fuel from the storage equipment installed in the fuel source vessel to the fuel destination vessel,
the fuel supply equipment installation member is configured so that the portable fuel supply equipment can be fixed thereto ,
the fuel supply source vessel includes a plurality of fuel supply equipment installation members that install the fuel supply equipment at a position for supplying the fuel from the storage equipment to the fuel supply destination vessel,
The fuel supply facility is fixed to one fuel supply facility installation member selected from the plurality of fuel supply facility installation members.
Fuel supplying vessel. A fuel supplier vessel according to claim 9 or 10 ;
A storage facility that stores fuel and is transported by a fuel carrier and installed on the fuel supplier ship;
a fuel supply facility that is connected to the storage facility on the fuel source vessel and the fuel destination vessel, thereby enabling the fuel to be supplied from the storage facility to the fuel destination vessel;
A marine fuel supply system comprising:

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