Oil and gas giant Shell said it has taken a new step in progressing the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel by contracting STX Offshore & Shipbuilding to build an LNG bunkering vessel.
The vessel will have a capacity of 6,500 cbm of LNG and will be able to run on the chilled fuel as well. It will be put to use in the port of Rotterdam, where it will load at the new LNG loading jetty to be constructed at the Dutch Gate LNG terminal, Shell said.
“The advantage of the vessels innovative transfer system means it can operate in both large and small LNG terminals and provide bunkering for a variety of LNG powered vessels,” Shell said.
The demand for LNG as fuel in the maritime sector is increasing due to the stringent regulations regarding emissions reductions that will come to force in January 2015.
Shell believes that LNG will take up a bigger part in the fuel mix, justifying its investment in the vessel as well as in additional capacity at the Gate terminal.
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Image: Shell