Fos Cavaou to Load LNG Bunker Vessels from 2019
Elengy and its subsidiary Fosmax LNG, owner of the Fos Cavaou LNG terminal, said May 17 they are adapting the terminal to offer a new LNG bunker-vessel loading service.
Elengy said the new service will enable Fos Cavaou load LNG bunker vessels of capacity less than 20,000 m3 which would then fuel ships in the Port of Marseille-Fos and elsewhere in the Mediterranean. Around 50 such 'micro-tankers' per year - so one per week - are expected to the new service once available in 2H2019.
The project calls for work to modify the wharf at the Fos Cavaou LNG terminal, which will be completed in June 2019. Elengy said 30% of the project's costs will be funded by the EU, in recognition of its positive impact on reducing emissions from shipping.
The two Fos-sur-Mer LNG terminals (Fos Tonkin and Fos Cavaou) can already unload LNG carriers ranging from 20,000 m3 to (Q-Max) 265,000 m3 capacities. The addition of LNG bunker-vessel loading will enrich that offer by the two facilities, said Elengy. By 2019 both terminals will also be able to load road-tankers with LNG.
The new bunker-vessel loading service will particularly help the Marseille-based global shipowner CMA CGM; last year it ordered nine giant newbuild LNG-fuelled containerships and signed a deal for Total to supply it with 0.3mn mt/yr starting 2020 for ten years. Elengy is owned by French gas grid GRTgaz, which in turn is 75%-owned by French utility giant Engie.