Australia’s Port Hedland, operated by Pilbara Ports Authority, has welcomed its first-ever LNG powered vessel.
The bulk carrier HL Green received a special greeting when it arrived on its maiden voyage to Port Hedland on Wednesday, the port authority said in a statement.
HL Green was the first LNG-fueled vessel to berth at the port, as the maritime industry moves to reduce emissions from shipping operations.
Moreover, the ship is one of two bulk carriers that Hyundai Samho recently delivered in South Korea.
These are the first such vessels for South Korea but also the world’s first LNG-fueled large bulk carriers, according to Hyundai Samho.
Additionally, both of the 180,000 dwt dual-fuel iron ore carriers belong to South Korea’s H-Line Shipping. The vessels are 292 meters long and 45 meters wide and feature two Type C 1,600 cbm LNG tanks, each.
They will make about ten round trips a year between Korea and Australia transporting iron ore and coal for charterer Posco.
If LNG-powered vessels would ship all bulk iron or presently exported from the Pilbara, sulphur and particulate matter would reduce by 95% and nitrogen emissions would reduce by 85%, according to the port authority.
“Pilbara Ports Authority was pleased to welcome HL Green and her crew to the Port of Port Hedland, as another milestone in our support of the transfer to LNG fuel as a way of reducing shipping emissions,” CEO Roger Johnston said.
