French integrated oil and gas firm Total has launched its first large liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel, after signing a long-term charter contract with Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL).
Total intends to operate the bunker vessel in Northern Europe, to supply LNG to commercial vessels for a period of at least 10 years, after it is delivered in 2020.
The new bunker vessel is expected to supply LNG to commercial vessels including CMA CGM’s nine newly built large containerships in Europe-Asia trade with 300,000 tons per year capacity.
Total marketing and services president Momar Nguer said: “Developing infrastructure like this giant bunker vessel is essential to allow LNG to become a widely used marine fuel.
“This first ship demonstrates our commitment to offering our customers both more environmentally friendly fuels and the associated logistics. Thanks to this pioneering investment, Total is making a positive contribution to the sustainable evolution of global shipping.”
The bunker vessel is built with the high environmental standards
The company said that the construction of LNG bunker vessel aligns with the decision of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to significantly limit the sulphur content of marine fuels as of 2020.
Using LNG as a marine fuel would reduce emissions from ships, resulting in a significant improvement in air quality, and the transition from heavy fuel oil to LNG would be a viable and effective solution for maritime transportation.
In addition, LNG is expected to reduce sulphur emissions by 99%, fine particle emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 85% and greenhouse gases emissions by approximately 20%.
The bunker vessel with a capacity of 18,600m3 is built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding at their Shanghai shipyard, featuring advanced tank technologies, offered by the French company GTT.
Total said that its new 135m long vessel is being designed to be highly maneuverable, and capable of being operated safely in the ports and terminals considered.
