Energy giant Total said it has realized what it says is the first ship-to-containership LNG bunkering operation in France.
The world’s largest LNG bunkering vessel in operation, the 18,600-cbm Gas Agility, has completed the operation on Friday evening at the Port of Dunkirk.
The MOL-owned and Total-chartered ship bunkered the world’s largest LNG-powered vessel CMA CGM Jaques Saade. The 23,000 TEU containership received around 16,400 cbm of LNG, Total said in a statement.
In addition, this inaugural operation also marks Dunkirk LNG terminal’s first loading of a small-scale vessel and the Terminal des Flandres’ first bunkering operation with simultaneous cargo operations, Total said.
‘Green Loop’ project consortium
The operation underscores the close cooperation across all partners of the ‘Green Loop’ project consortium, which comprises of Total, the Dunkirk LNG terminal, MOL, and CMA CGM, Total said. Dunkerque LNG owners include two groups with the first consortium led by Belgium’s Fluxys holding a 61 percent stake.
Co-financed by the European Union under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) – Transport Sector, the overall project objective is to promote the decarbonization of maritime transport by deploying a scale-up LNG bunkering solution in North Europe, the firm said.
Moreover, key investments, critical to enable this operation, were made within the framework of this project to boost the Dunkerque LNG terminal’s capabilities in offering small-scale services, Total said.
Amongst various developments, Dunkerque LNG also adapted the terminal’s existing jetty to allow the provision of LNG loading to vessels.
Gas Agility has delivered more than 160,000 cbm of LNG
Since commencing operations in November 2020, Gas Agility has delivered more than 160,000 cbm of LNG fuel in Rotterdam, the vessel’s home port, Total said.
The vessel, built by China’s Hudong-Zhonghua, also refueled Jacques Saade in Rotterdam in November as part of its maiden voyage from China.
Gas Agility can serve a broad range of vessels from various segments, including CMA CGM’s nine 23,000 TEUs LNG-powered containerships.
By 2022, Gas Agility’s sistership, another 18,600-cbm newbuild LNG bunker vessel under construction at Hudong, will join Total’s LNG bunker fleet to serve the Mediterranean region.
Simultaneously, Total will share the use of a third bunker vessel in Singapore.
“We are pleased to partner with Dunkerque LNG for this unprecedented operation, and to showcase the agility of our LNG bunkering solutions to serve the Northwestern Europe market,” said Jérôme Leprince-Ringuet, vice president marine fuels at Total.
“It also reinforces our confidence in the role of LNG for shipping’s energy transition. We will continue to grow our LNG bunker supply network, to help our customers take advantage of the confirmed reduction in greenhouse gases of up to 23% and its significant air quality benefits,” he said.