Europe’s largest inland LNG bunkering barge launched

Turkey’s RMK Marine has launched an 8,000-cbm inland LNG bunkering barge for owners Victrol and Sogestran and charterer Shell.

The launching ceremony for the vessel named Energy Stockholm took place on July 7, according to a statement by Belgium’s Victrol and French Sogestran.

LNG Shipping, a joint venture of the two firms, will own and operate this vessel, while Shell will charter it for operations in the ports of Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam.

The firms changed the vessel’s name as during the keel-laying ceremony in March this year, the partners announced the vessel as LNG Erasmus.

They claim that this is Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunkering barge and the first to use battery technology and shore power, which will help reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Italy’s Gas & Heat will supply the tanks and cargo handling system for the new 8,000-cbm vessel designed by the International Naval Engineering Consultants, while MAN will deliver the dual-fuel engines.

Shell’s LNG bunkering business on the rise

Shell already charters the bunkering barge, LNG London, from LNG Shipping.

Launched in July 2019, this inland LNG bunkering barge, claimed to be the first such vessel in Europe, has a capacity of 3,000 cbm.

Last month, Shell added two more locations to its global LNG bunkering network as the number of LNG-powered vessels continues to grow.

The new LNG bunkering locations include Flushing and Antwerp.

“We are steadily expanding our bunker assets to enable LNG’s immediate availability and accessibility in supporting shipping decarbonization,” Shell’s head of downstream LNG, Tahir Faruqui, said.

“The new barge will increase Shell’s bunkering capacity in the ARA region. She will soon join our LNG fueling network, which is the largest in the world with 12 bunker vessels across 19 locations,” he said.

Most Popular

India’s ONGC approves Mozambique LNG investment

India’s state-run ONGC has approved an investment by its unit, ONGC Videsh, into the TotalEnergies-led Mozambique LNG joint venture, which is developing a 12.8 mtpa liquefaction plant at the Afungi complex.

Atlantic LNG shipping rates, European prices down

Atlantic LNG freight shipping rates and European prices decreased this week compared to the week before.

Australia’s Viva Energy seeks FSRU for Geelong project

Australia’s Viva Energy is looking to secure a floating storage and regasification Unit (FSRU) for its proposed LNG import terminal in Geelong, Australia.

More News Like This

Shell wraps up acquisition of Pavilion Energy

UK-based LNG giant Shell has completed its previously announced acquisition of Singapore's Pavilion Energy.

Shell seals LNG deal with India’s IRM Energy

A unit of UK-based LNG giant Shell has signed a five-year deal to supply regasified LNG to India's IRM Energy.

China’s SIPG eyes LNG bunkering vessel order

China’s terminal operator, Shanghai International Port (SIPG), is looking to order one large liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, according to shipbuilding sources.

Shell CEO expects progress on Venture Global arbitration this year

Shell’s CEO Wael Sawan expects to have an update on an arbitration dispute with US LNG exporter Venture Global LNG later this year.