- We’re working to expand our global LNG bunkering footprint
TotalEnergies has announced that it has signed a charter contract with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal for a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunker vessel of 18,600m3 capacity. This new vessel will expand the Company’s global presence in bunkering hubs. In particular, this additional vessel might be deployed in Oman, where the Company is developing the Marsa LNG project with the objective to provide LNG to the shipping sector in the Gulf, the French energy industry Kingpin said in a statement it posted to Energy Window International by email.
The vessel, owned by Ibaizabal, and certified to have met the “highest technical and environmental standards” will supply LNG to a wide range of vessels (containerships, tankers, large cruise ships, ferries) at TotalEnergies’ LNG bunkering hubs.
Used as a marine fuel, LNG is an immediately available transition fuel that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the shipping sector by around 20%. It also significantly improves air quality by reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 85%, and it almost completely eliminates (by 99%) sulfur oxides (SOx) and fine particules. These benefits are particularly impactful when ships are at berth, improving the quality of life for port cities and communities in coastal areas, TotalEnergies said.
This new vessel, currently being constructed by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China the company says, will be delivered by the end of 2026 to join the company’s current fleet of three deployed LNG bunker vessels namely, the Gas Agility, which has been positioned in the Port of Rotterdam, the Gas Vitality, operated in the Port of Marseille and the Brassavola located in the Port of Singapore.
“We are very proud of this agreement with Ibaizabal, which reinforces our position as a main player in LNG bunkering” says Louise Tricoire, TotalEnergies Senior Vice President, Aviation and Marine Fuels. “With new LNG-fuelled vessels coming on stream at a rapid pace, we are committed to playing our part in responding to the sector’s increasing demand for this fuel which can help global shipping meet its decarbonization ambitions.”
Mr Jorge Zickermann, CEO Ibaizabal Group also said: “Ibaizabal is honoured to be chosen to carry out this Project as it falls within our strategy of decarbonizing the maritime industry, together with a leading company in the LNG field, while enhancing the already long-term relationship in shipping with TotalEnergies.”
Used as a marine fuel, LNG helps cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 20% compared to conventional marine fuel. It also has the potential to reduce emissions significantly more if bio or synthetic LNG is used, says the French major. This is besides its sustainability, affordability and availability, even as it is considered the quickest in terms of helping to bring down way emissions hitherto prevalent in the shipping sector. TotalEnergies the statement further highlighted has actively invested in LNG bunkering infrastructure, fundamental to supporting its shipping customers’ adoption of LNG as a marine fuel.