The Boskalis vessel the SMIT Elbe in the port of Rotterdam has become the first tugboat in the Netherlands to be fuelled with Shell GTL.
GTL, which stands for gas-to-liquids, is a liquid fuel made from natural gas converted into synthetic diesel. GTL produces far fewer nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide, fine dust particles and black smoke emissions than regular diesel.
The SMIT Elbe will run on GTL for around six months to determine whether the fuel is able to effect a sizeable reduction in emissions without the engines being adapted.
On-board emission measurements will be carried out at regular intervals.
The pilot may also be interesting in relation to the emission reduction targets for the port of Rotterdam.
The pilot is consistent with Boskalis’ energy and carbon reduction activities in the Netherlands.
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Boskalis, December 23, 2013