Lockheed Martin says it is now producing liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tanks at its manufacturing facility in New Orleans, driven by large contracts from Wartsila and Harvey Gulf International Marine LLC.
The company originally announced its intentions to enter this market back in March.
The cryogenic LNG tanks produced for these initial customers are destined for maritime applications, but the core technology – which is based on Lockheed Martin's experience building external fuel tanks for NASA – will ultimately be applied to various land-based and other LNG storage needs.
‘There is a growing need for storing and transporting LNG to consumers,’ says Dr. Rob Smith, vice president of Space & Cyber programs for Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions. ‘Having developed complex cryogenic external tanks for NASA for years, it made sense for us to apply that technological expertise to the liquefied natural gas tank market.’
Lockheed Martin notes that all of its tanks are manufactured to ASME standards for pressure vessels.
