Finland’s Gasum said it has secured a distribution license to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to maritime customers in Belgium.
According to a a statement by Gasum, the firm won the new LNG distribution license on March 17, 2022, expanding its supply network in Northwestern European ports and waters.
The license includes the important port of Zeebrugge, which is one of Europe’s leading pure car/truck carrier hubs, as the number of LNG-powered PCTCs continues to grow, the firm said.
Jacob Granqvist, VP at Gasum said, “the significance of the ARA region and Zeebrugge as a bunkering hub is likely to increase, which makes it a strategically important area for Gasum.”
Last year, Gasum said it would move its chartered bunkering vessel, Kairos, to the Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp region, as part of the firm’s strategy to expand its maritime services in northwest Europe.
Previously, the 5,800-cbm Kairos had been operating in the North Sea and Baltic Sea and only sailed to the ARA area upon request, the firm said.
Back in 2020, Gasum signed a deal with Norwegian energy giant Equinor to supply the latter’s chartered vessels in the ARA region.
The deal also marked an expansion for Gasum extending its geographical area from the Nordics to the ARA region.
The frim has also completed its first LNG bunkering operation in France with the LNG bunkering vessel, Kairos, last year.
Gasum’s fleet currently includes five chartered vessels, namely Coralius, Kairos, Coral EnergICE, Coral Energy, and Seagas, according to its website.
