Energy Stockholm, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge, was launched into the water at the RMK Marine shipyard. Owned and operated by LNG Shipping (a joint venture between Victrol and Sogestran), the vessel has a capacity of 8,000m3. It will be on a long-term time charter to Shell Western LNG B.V (Shell) for bunkering operations in the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Amsterdam (ARA) region.
Tahir Faruqui, Global Head of Downstream LNG at Shell, expressed, “We are steadily expanding our bunker assets to enable LNG’s immediate availability and accessibility in supporting shipping decarbonisation. The new barge will increase Shell’s bunkering capacity in the ARA region. She will soon join our LNG fuelling network, which is the largest in the world with 12 bunker vessels across 19 locations.”
This collaboration between LNG Shipping and Shell marks their second inland waterway barge, following the launch of the 3000m3 LNG London in July 2019.
David Patron, Market Director Oil-Chemicals-Gases at Sogestran, representing LNG Shipping, mentioned, “The Energy Stockholm will benefit from four years of operational experience on the LNG London and is poised to meet a range of customer demands, from ferries to large carriers. She is at the forefront of new technologies, with features that help consume less energy and reduce emissions.”
As Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge built to date, the Energy Stockholm incorporates state-of-the-art technology that improves fuel efficiency compared to existing assets. It features dual-fuel propulsion, capable of using cargo boil-off gas. Notably, it will be the first LNG bunker barge to utilize battery technology and shore power, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Designed by the International Naval Engineering Consultants (INEC), the barge is constructed at the RMK Marine Shipyard in Tuzla, Turkey. Gas & Heat will supply the tanks and cargo handling system.
About LNG Shipping
LNG Shipping is a joint venture between the French group SOGESTRAN and the Belgian company VICTROL. The 2 companies have decided to join their forces in 2018 to provide a professional and competitive answer to the Shell International Trading and Shipping request for proposal for the charter of a LNG bunker barge (LBB) to operate locally in the port of Rotterdam. LNG Shipping expertise is
- Compliance with applicable laws and regulations in the Port of Rotterdam and with Shell safety standards and vetting rules.
- Knowledge of LNG Technology and the way to manage LNG operations.
- Proven bunkering experience in Rotterdam. Victrol is operating since 2019 for the account of M&M Shipping the LNG London with more than 700 operations realized for Shell.
About RMK Marine
RMK Marine has been delivering highly reliable ships for almost a decade, across a range of vessel types including tankers, tugs and other service craft.
Source Victrol