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Australia's EVOL LNG - part of Westfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers - says it plans to speed up the LNG delivery process by doubling its LNG pumping capacity in the near future.

EVOL LNG's Business Manager, Nick Rea, told Bunker Index: "We're currently operating with a simple bunkering system which bunkers at 15 tonnes per hour, but we're looking to double that soon."

In order to increase the amount delivered per hour, the company intends to invest in a hose manifold system that will allow two tankers to discharge at the same time.

Typically, the company envisages using two road tankers to perform deliveries; it was the set-up used recently to supply LNG to the platform supply vessel (PSV) Siem Thiima in Dampier and Fremantle when LNG ship deliveries were carried out for the first time at both ports - and in Australia.

During both landmark deliveries, the Siem Thiima's LNG storage system, which is able to hold up to 85 metric tonnes, was filled to its maximum capacity.

The deliveries are estimated to have taken just under six hours, but when upgrades to the hose manifold system are completed, an 85-tonne delivery would take less than three hours to complete.

EVOL LNG's planned delivery improvements come as the company prepares for an increase in ship calls by LNG-fuelled vessels over the coming years.

Last month, Bunker Index reported that one initiative, the 'Green Corridor' project, is focused on the development of LNG-powered Capesize bulkers that can operate between Western Australia and China.

"As one of the largest LNG exporters in the world and with bunkering infrastructure coming online, Australia is well placed to support the bulk trade on the west coast with LNG as fuel," Morten Lovstad, DNV GL - Maritime Business Director Bulk Carriers, said in January.