Hapag-Lloyd’s containership wraps up largest bio-LNG bunkering op in Rotterdam

Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd has joined forces with Dutch LNG supplier Titan and trader STX to complete what they say is the largest ship-to-ship bio-LNG bunkering operation in the port of Rotterdam.

According to a joint statement issued on Monday, the 8,200-cbm LNG bunkering vessel, Alice Cosulich, owned by Fratelli Cosulich and chartered by Titan, delivered 2,200 metric tons of liquefied biomethane (LBM), or bio-LNG, to Hapag-Lloyd’s 15,000-teu Brussels Express, the world’s first ultra-large containership LNG retrofit.

“This transaction marks Hapag-Lloyd’s entry into using LBM as sustainable shipping fuel, representing the largest ship-to-ship bunkering operation known till date,” the partners said.

STX and Titan have collaborated to liquefy, store, and deliver mass-balanced biomethane in Zeebrugge in Belgium under ISSC certification fully recognized under the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive known as RED II, the statement said.

Jan Christensen, senior director fuel purchasing at Hapag-Lloyd said that this “pioneering” deal demonstrates that bunkering large quantities of liquefied biomethane is possible and scalable.

“However, there is still more progress required regarding the necessary infrastructure and the regulatory framework. For us, bunkering liquefied biomethane is another measure in our step-by-step approach to further decarbonize our operations to reach our goal of becoming net-zero by 2045,” Christensen said.

Hapag-Lloyd’s LNG-powered fleet

Besides biomethane, Hapag-Lloyd is working on a synthetic methane project as it looks to further reduce emissions from its fleet of LNG-powered containerships.

Last year, the company took delivery of the first of 12 ultra-large LNG-powered containerships from South Korea’s Hanwha Ocean, previously known as DSME.

Hapag-Lloyd first ordered six 23,500-teu LNG dual-fuel containerships from Hanwha Ocean in 2020, and it added six more sister vessels in 2021. The orders have a total price tag of about $2 billion.

The company said in its 2023 sustainability report released that it put three of its 12 new dual-fuel vessels into service, while a further nine LNG dual-fuel newbuilds will go into operation by 2025.

Hapag-Lloyd said its LNG bunker consumption totaled 22,769 tonnes in 2023. In 2022, the company’s LNG bunker consumption totaled 4,582 tonnes.

Most Popular

GTT develops new LNG fuel tank

French LNG containment giant GTT has developed a new cubic-shaped LNG fuel tank for commercial vessels, with a particular focus on LNG-fueled container vessels.

Abaxx sees significant volume growth in its LNG futures

Abaxx Commodity Futures Exchange, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abaxx Technologies (CBOE:ABXX) has seen significant volume growth in its physically deliverable LNG futures during the past summer months, according to Abaxx Exchange Chief Commercial Officer Joe Raia.

Another steam LNG carrier sold for demolition

An NYK-managed steam liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has been sold for demolition, according to brokers.

More News Like This

Shell, Hapag-Lloyd seal bio-LNG bunkering deal

A unit of UK-based LNG giant Shell has signed a deal with Germany's Hapag-Lloyd to supply the latter's dual-fuel container vessels with bio-LNG.

Titan, K Line complete first LNG bunkering op under new term contract

Dutch LNG supplier Titan and Japan’s shipping giant K Line have completed the first LNG bunkering operation for K Line’s car carrier under a new contract.

Titan, MOL wrap up first LNG bunkering op under new term contract

Dutch LNG supplier Titan and Japan's shipping giant MOL have completed the first LNG and bio-LNG bunkering operation for MOL's car carrier under a new multi-delivery contract.

PetroChina in first European LNG bunkering op

PetroChina International, a unit of state-owned PetroChina, has completed its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation in Europe.