Peninsula secures LNG bunkering operator licence in Gibraltar
Peninsula, a global marine fuel supplier, has been granted a license to supply LNG as a bunker fuel in Gibraltar, it said on October 10. The license was awarded by the government of Gibraltar and the Gibraltar Port Authority.
Peninsula recently announced the arrival of its purpose-built, 12,500 m3 LNG bunker vessel, Levante LNG, to the Strait of Gibraltar. The new vessel will be operated by Peninsula and will enable the company to service customers with LNG requirements in both the Gibraltar Strait and other Mediterranean ports.
John A. Bassadone, CEO of Peninsula, said: "The ability to operate our LNG vessel in the Strait of Gibraltar will bring lower-carbon solutions to vessels entering and leaving the Mediterranean. The proactivity of the Gibraltar Port Authority and the government of Gibraltar will continue to cement the jurisdiction's position as a leading centre for maritime excellence."
Nacho de Miguel, head of alternative fuels & sustainability at Peninsula, added: "This license allows us to meet lower-carbon product demand across the Western Mediterranean. The LNG-propelled vessel orderbook is looking very healthy and we want to offer solutions now to those customers taking a proactive step towards decarbonisation. As the gateway to the Mediterranean, the Port of Gibraltar will be an integral piece of the decarbonisation puzzle."
Energy major Shell recently completed the first-ever LNG bunkering of a cruise ship in the Port of Gibraltar.