Engie, Mitsubishi Corporation, NYK Unveil Gas4Sea Brand

Engie, Mitsubishi Corporation and NYK Line will jointly market LNG as marine fuel around the world through a new brand Gas4Sea. The new brand, launched September 6, aims to lead innovation through the ship-to-ship supply of LNG for the maritime sector, the companies said in a joint statement.

In 2014, the three entities concluded a framework agreement for a partnership to develop LNG bunkering services. “By combining NYK’s shipping expertise with Engie and Mitsubishi Corporation’s LNG supply portfolio and terminal access under the brand Gas4Sea, the partners will offer a cleaner, reliable, safe, and cost-effective service to shipping customers worldwide. Through their proven experience in their respective businesses, they will be able to tailor their LNG supply chains to the customers’ needs," the statement said.

Gas4Sea logo (Credit: NYK Line)

Operations are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2016, using a purpose-built LNG bunkering vessel with a 5,000 m³ LNG capacity. It will be able to bunker vessels at the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, as well as other nearby ports.

Compared with conventional oil-based fuels, the use of LNG significantly reduces emissions from engine exhaust, thus enabling ship operators to comply with increasingly stringent maritime emissions regulations.

Shardul Sharma