On August 13, 2024, the luxurious superyacht ILMA, part of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, successfully underwent its first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation. This milestone event was carried out by the LNG bunkering vessel Gas Vitality, which is chartered by TotalEnergies Marine Fuels. The operation took place at berth 162 of the Port of Marseille Fos.
A Milestone Operation for ILMA
The superyacht ILMA, which was recently delivered in July by the prestigious shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique, is the second vessel in The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection fleet. The yacht is now preparing for its maiden voyage, scheduled to depart from Monte Carlo on September 2, 2024. This successful bunkering operation marks a significant step in ILMA’s journey, ensuring it is well-prepared for its upcoming luxury cruise.
The Role of Gas Vitality in LNG Bunkering
The Gas Vitality, a 135-meter LNG carrier with a capacity of 18,600 cubic meters, has been instrumental in providing LNG bunkering services in the Gulf of Fos and Marseille since 2022. As one of only two similar vessels in Europe, the other being based in Rotterdam – Gas Vitality plays a crucial role in supporting the maritime industry’s shift towards cleaner fuels. The successful bunkering of ILMA further underscores the operational capabilities of TotalEnergies Marine Fuels and its commitment to sustainability in the maritime sector.
The Strategic Importance of the Port of Marseille Fos
The Port of Marseille Fos, France’s leading port and the second largest in the Mediterranean, served as the venue for this landmark operation. Located on the Mediterranean coast, the port is a vital gateway to southern Europe and an alternative to the ports of Northern Europe. Spanning an area equivalent to the city of Paris, the port is equipped with extensive infrastructure to support a wide range of maritime, logistic, and industrial activities.
As a generalist port, Marseille Fos handles various types of cargo, including hydrocarbons, bulk liquids, general cargo, and bulk solids. The port also features extensive warehousing facilities and supports significant industrial activities, such as refineries, steel, and chemical industries. In addition to its cargo handling capabilities, the port is a leader in ship-repair activities, with nine dry docks, including the Mediterranean’s largest, “Dry Dock 10.”
The port is also a key player in the passenger and cruise industry, with over 2 million passengers transiting through it each year. This makes Marseille Fos the leading cruise port in France. The port is divided into two harbors: the Eastern Harbor in Marseille and the Western Harbor in Fos, located 70 kilometers from the city.
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: A Fusion of Luxury and Freedom
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection represents the pinnacle of luxury yachting, combining the elegance of The Ritz-Carlton® brand with the freedom of a yachting vacation. The collection includes three custom-built yachts—Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara—each designed to offer unparalleled luxury experiences. The yachts visit unique and distinguished destinations, with most voyages lasting between seven and ten nights, featuring overnight calls and carefully curated onshore experiences.
The yacht Evrima accommodates up to 298 guests in 149 suites, each with a private terrace. The newly bunkered Ilma and Luminara are slightly larger, with 224 and 226 suites, respectively, and boast among the highest space ratios per guest at sea. As with The Ritz-Carlton® hotels on land, each yacht is known for its personalized service, elevated dining, and luxurious amenities. These yachts are also available for private charters, offering a bespoke yachting experience.
TotalEnergies Marine Fuels: A Commitment to Excellence and Sustainability
TotalEnergies Marine Fuels, headquartered in Singapore with satellite offices in Paris and Geneva, continues to lead the way in the maritime fuel industry. This successful LNG bunkering operation for ILMA is a testament to the company’s commitment to revolutionizing bunkering operations and driving positive change in the maritime industry. Through its innovative and sustainable solutions, TotalEnergies Marine Fuels is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of maritime energy.
TotalEnergies, Second Largest Global LNG Player
TotalEnergies is the world’s second largest publicly traded LNG player, with a global portfolio of nearly 50 Mt/y by 2025 and a global market share of around 10%. Thanks to its interests in liquefaction plants in Angola, Australia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Russia and Qatar, the company markets LNG on all world markets. TotalEnergies also benefits from strong and diversified positions throughout the LNG value chain, including gas production, LNG transportation, LNG trading, and some recent development in the LNG industry for maritime transport.
TotalEnergies is a global multi-energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas and green gases, renewables and electricity. Our 105,000 employees are committed to energy that is ever more affordable, cleaner, more reliable and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, TotalEnergies puts sustainable development in all its dimensions at the heart of its projects and operations to contribute to the well-being of people.
Source TotalEnergies | The Port of Marseille Fos | The Ritz-Carlton Yatch Collection