Madrid-based small-scale LNG player Molgas has signed an LNG bunkering contract with Hamburg-based E&S Tankers, a joint venture of Essberger Tankers and Stolt Tankers.
The group which includes Molgas, Norway’s Gasnor, and Greece’s Blue Grid, said in an emailed statement it has signed the “multiple terminal-to-ship LNG bunker delivery contract” in Spain.
Molgas did not provide any additional information regarding the deal.
The firm has completed the first terminal-to-ship delivery on October 24 to the 6,600-dwt LNG-powered chemical tanker, Liselotte Essberger.
According to its AIS data provided by VesselsValue, the vessel was located at the Enagas-operated Cartagena LNG import terminal at that time.
First of four LNG-powered tankers
The LNG-powered vessel is on its maiden voyage from China.
E&S Tankers took delivery of Liselotte Essberger on August 30 from a China Merchants Jinling yard.
Germany’s John T. Essberger ordered in total four LNG-powered chemical tankers in 2021 saying that E&S Tankers will operate the vessels to initiate its fleet renewal.
E&S Tankers expects to take delivery of the second and third vessel by the end of this year and the fourth in February next year.
Designed by FKAB, the stainless steel parcel tankers, IMO Type II, have LNG dual-fuel propulsion and certified Finnish/Swedish 1A ice class.
Besides dual-fuel propulsion, the ships also feature full battery/UPS power, preventing blackouts.
Molgas boosting LNG bunkering business
With this new deal, Molgas continues to add new LNG bunkering customers.
The firm previously said it is working to further expand its LNG bunkering business as the demand for the fuel continues to grow.
In August, Molgas bunkered two newbuild LNG-powered coastal cruise ships owned by Norwegian shipping firm Havila Voyages in Spain.
The terminal-to-ship deliveries to the LNG-powered sister vessels, Havila Pollux and Havila Polaris, took place on August 9 at the Enagas-operated Cartagena facility.
In addition, Molgas recently expanded the company’s LNG bunkering network with the completion of its first operation in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
