Port of Civitavecchia Starts LNG TtS Bunkering

The Port of Civitavecchia has taken the lead on LNG bunkering. This is the first time ever that an Italian port has given permission for LNG TtS Bunkering.

After bunkering the world first LNG-powered tug in Zeebrugge, the world’s second LNG-powered sea going tug, the Bokn of Buksér og Berging AS, was bunkered by LNGEurope at the Port of Civitavecchia (Rome) on Friday May 16th 2014. The Port of Civitavecchia has become the first port to perform Truck to Ship bunkering of LNG to a seagoing vessel within an Italian coastal port or any port in Italy and this part of the Mediterranean.

M/T Bokn is the second identical tug ordered by the Norwegian at Sanmar Shipyard in Turkey. In order to arrive at her destination, Karsto in Norway, the Bokn bunkers in Italy, Spain and Belgium. At Karsto the Bokn will serve her long term contract for Statoil. To fuel up on LNG for her maiden trip, the ship will be calling at the ports of Civitavecchia, Cartagena, Vigo and Zeebrugge. The bunkering activity in both Civitavecchia and Zeebrugge will be executed by the experienced team of LNGEurope.

The LNG fuelling operation was executed by one of LNGEurope’s trailers. The trailer is positioned alongside the ship and connected to the ship’s fuel tank. Truck-to-Ship Bunkering of LNG has been proven to be easy, flexible, safe and cost effective.

The maritime sector is confronted with strict emissions regulations. This has resulted in significant interest for LNG as a maritime fuel. The Bokn emits nearly 30 percent less CO2 and up to 90 percent less NOx than conventional ships. Noise is reduced by 70%. Smoke, soot and particulate matter are not emitted at all.

This first Truck to Ship bunkering at Civitavecchia was prepared and planned in cooperation with the Civitavecchia Port Authority, the Harbor Master, the Fire Fighting Department, ConferenzaGNL, Wilhelmsen Ships Agency – Genova Head Office.

Calogero Giuseppe Burgio, Environmental & Technological Development Division, Director of Port of Civitavecchia: “This LNG bunkering operation is of the greatest importance to the port of Civitavecchia. Firstly, we show that we are in the fore front of developments and secondly we are proud to have the first LNG truck-to-ship bunkering in Italy.”

Paolo D’Ermo, Program Manager, ConferenzaGNL: “This bunkering operation is of great significance to Italy. It shows that the LNG as a ship fuel is a safe and sustainable solution that is gaining international importance. ConferenzaGNL will give the proper visibility within the Italian stakeholders to this historical step in the LNG use for maritime transport in Italy. This operation will help us address the acceptance issues related to the use of LNG for transport during the activity of the ConferenzaGNL Project 2014-2015.”

Koos Blaazer, General Manager of LNGEurope b.v.: “This successful bunkering operation confirms the belief of LNGEurope that these safe bunkering operations will become routine for a steadily growing fleet of LNG fuelled ships, not only in Civitavecchia, but worldwide.”