FueLNG bunkers Aframax in Singapore
FueLNG, a joint venture owned by Anglo-Dutch Shell and Keppel Offshore & Marine, completed Singapore’s first bunkering of an LNG-fuelled oil tanker May 7, it said. The FueLNG Bellina transferred 3,000 m³ into the fuel tank of Pacific Emerald, an Aframax tanker (see banner image).
FueLNG is committed to promoting the adoption of LNG as a marine fuel and has been working closely with partners including the Singapore Maritime & Port Authority (MPA) to boost the growth of Singapore as a global LNG bunkering hub.
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MPA CEO Quah Ley Hoon said the event was "another milestone in Singapore’s journey as an LNG bunkering hub. We see increased interest in LNG-fuelled vessels with more of such new vessels on order across various ship types. We look forward to an increase in uptake of LNG as a marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.”
Keppel said LNG is an "important part of the energy transition that enables the Port of Singapore to provide shipowners with the option to reduce vessel emissions today."
Director of FueLNG and head of Shell Downstream LNG Tahir Faruqui said: “We are grateful to Keppel and MPA for their support in enabling yet another first for Singapore. Emissions are cumulative, and the shipping sector simply cannot afford inaction.... Shell is actively investing in building a global LNG bunkering network to support the sector with capabilities to tackle emissions with urgency. We are also investing in LNG for our own long-term charter fleet to deliver our products like the oil tanker fuelled today.” Pacific Emerald is the first of 10 newbuild Aframax tankers chartered by Shell from Sinokor Petrochemical.
The bunkering of the Aframax oil tanker is also a demonstration of FueLNG Bellina’s versatile capabilities to provide LNG bunker and conduct the gas-up and cool down operation for receiving vessels with different types of cargo tanks such as Type B and GTT membrane tanks.
A few weeks ago, the World Bank urged governments not to support LNG as a bunkering fuel as it would only play a minor role compared with hydrogen or ammonia. But Keppel said in its statement: "LNG is an immediately available fuel solution that can reduce the environmental impact of maritime transport. The use of LNG as a marine fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 23% on a well-to-wake basis, compared with current oil-based marine fuels. Vessels that use LNG also emit significantly less of the three main pollutants: 99% less sulphur dioxide, 91% less particulate matter and 92% less nitrogen oxide, compared to oil-based marine fuels."