Norwegian shipping firm UECC has joined forces with Spanish energy firm Repsol to complete its first LNG bunkering operation in the Mediterranean.
The LNG dual-fuel PCTC, Auto Energy, received LNG via a truck-to-ship operation on May 25 in the port of Sagunto, Spain, UECC said in a statement on Thursday.
The delivery marks an “important step forward in UECC’s commitment to expanding its geographical scope of LNG operations and promoting environmental sustainability within the maritime industry,” the firm said.
UECC claims this is the first LNG bunkering operation in the port Sagunto and was made possible through the collaborative efforts of UECC, Repsol, ESK, and local authorities.
It said that the successful LNG bunkering operation in the Mediterranean opens doors to new possibilities for UECC, enabling the company to offer “greener transportation solutions” across a wider range of European routes.
UECC operates a fleet of 16 medium-sized pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) with loading capacity ranging from 1,060 to 4,750 car equivalent units, its website shows.
In 2016, the firm took delivery of two LNG-powered PCTCs, Auto Energy and Auto Eco.
After that, the firm ordered three LNG dual-fuel PCTCs with batter power in China.
In October 2022, China’s Jiangnan Shipyard handed over the LNG and battery-powered PCTC, Auto Aspire.
The Norway-based joint venture consisting of NYK and Wallenius Lines took deliver of the first ship, Auto Advance, in November 2021. UECC claims this is the world’s first LNG-powered hybrid PCTC.
The second ship, Auto Achieve, joined the fleet in June 2022.