Fluxys Joins As Co-Owner Of LNG Bunkering Vessel
Fluxys signed an agreement with ENGIE, Mitsubishi and NYK Line to acquire 25% in the vessel that will be offering LNG bunkering services from its home port of Zeebrugge, Belgium. Fluxys’ strategy to support the development of the small-scale LNG market is realised through the joint ownership.
The new-built liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, with a capacity of 5,100 cubic metres LNG, is currently under construction in South Korea and delivery is planned for the second half of 2016.
The emission profile of LNG is far better than the traditional petroleum based sources.LNG as an alternative fuel for ships has been gaining in importance especially as the stringent sulphur emission regulations applicable in the North Sea Channel have come into force since 1st January 2015, According to a recent DNV-GL study the number of non-LNG carrier vessels running on LNG will reach 1,000 in 2020 or shortly thereafter.
LNG bunkering company created by ENGIE, Mitsubishi and NYK Line will partner with the Fluxys for commercial operations. First bunkering contracts have already been agreed upon. The LNG bunkering vessel will load LNG at the terminal. The vessel will then deliver the LNG by means of ship-to-ship transfer to newly ordered ships by UECC (United European Car Carriers), a Norwegian automobile carrier, which is located in the inner harbour of Zeebrugge.
Source: Fluxys
