Global energy company Total expects delivery of its first large liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel in 2020.
The bunker vessel will supply LNG to commercial vessels in northern Europe, including 300 000 t/y to French container transport and shipping company CMA CGM for at least ten years.
The 135-m-long, 18 600 m3 bunker vessel launch followed after Total signed a long-term charter contract with Mitsui OSK Lines in February.
The LNG bunker vessel’s construction, by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, is in line with the International Maritime Organisation decision to drastically limit the sulphur content of marine fuels from 2020.
Transition from heavy fuel oil to LNG is a competitive, efficient and immediately available solution for maritime transport.
LNG significantly reduces emissions from ships, helping to cut sulphur emissions by 99%, fine particle emissions by 99%, nitrogen oxide emissions by 85% and greenhouse-gas emissions by about 20%.
Total marketing and services president Momar Nguer says developing infrastructure such as the bunker vessel is essential to enable LNG to become a widely used marine fuel.