Shell-chartered LNG London has completed a milestone loading operation at the Dutch Gate terminal in the Port of Rotterdam as the demand for the chilled fuel continues to grow.
Europe’s first inland LNG bunkering ship, owned by a venture of Belgium’s Victrol and French Sogestran, on Thursday loaded for the 100th time at Gate since it started operations some 18 months ago, according to Victrol.
Europe’s first inland LNG bunkering ship completed its maiden operation in Rotterdam in June last year, supplying the fuel to Containerships LNG-powered vessels.
Since then, the 3,000-cbm vessel served a number of clients including Carnival Cruise Line’s LNG-powered Mardi Gras but also P&O Cruises’ Iona.
Victrol previously said the vessel had completed more than 200 bunkering operations in total.
The ship loads LNG at Gate, owned by Gasunie and Vopak, and delivers it to seagoing vessels, inland barges and onshore terminals, while a restricted draft allows it to sail via inland waterways to Antwerp and Amsterdam, if required.