Image Courtesy: Skangas
Skangas’ Coralius has bunkered a vessel with liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time.
The operation took place in international waters, Northern Kattegat, in the middle of the sea between Frederikshavn, Denmark, and Gothenburg, Sweden.
The receiving vessel, Fure West , is an oil and chemical tanker owned by the Swedish shipping company Furetank. The 144-meter-long ship operates mainly in the Baltic and Kattegat area. In 2015, Furetank retrofitted the tanker, pioneering the use of LNG as a marine fuel in Europe.
“The bunkering of Fure West confirmed that Coralius delivers in accordance with what it is built for. This is a key milestone in our history of developing the LNG availability. We are happy working together with … Furetank for this first of several upcoming ship-to-ship bunkerings,” Kimmo Rahkamo, CEO of Skangas , commented.
Last week, the 5,800 cbm Coralius, carrying its first cargo of LNG, arrived at Skangas’ terminal in Øra, Fredrikstad, Norway, as part of its maiden voyage. The ship was loaded with an LNG cargo from the company’s production facility in Risavika, Stavanger.
LNG is the cleanest available marine fuel, one that is rapidly becoming more commonly viewed – and used – as a cost-effective alternative. LNG is suitable for all vessel types, including ferries, passenger ships, tankers, bulk, supply and containerships.
Skangas expects the LNG demand for ships to increase significantly in the next few years as responsible shipping companies are seeking cleaner fuel alternatives.