ZEEBRUGGE — Shell Marine has successfully completed the LNG bunkering of the Höegh Sunlight, a dual-fuel Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), via its dedicated bunker barge Energy Stockholm at the Port of Zeebrugge. The operation was carried out in collaboration with Glander International Bunkering and Unicore Fuel Europe, marking the latest milestone in a growing series of bunkering operations for Höegh Autoliners’ expanding Aurora Class fleet across Europe.
This operation underscores Shell’s ongoing investment in LNG bunkering infrastructure and its role as a leading supplier in the transitional marine fuels landscape. It also highlights Höegh Autoliners’ accelerating shift toward low- and zero-carbon shipping.
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A New Class of Pure Car and Truck Carriers
The Höegh Sunlight is part of Höegh Autoliners’ Aurora Class — a new generation of PCTCs designed with a multi-fuel future in mind. Of the 12 vessels on order:
- The first eight are dual-fuel LNG, with six already in operation
- The final four aim to be ammonia-capable, signaling a bold move toward zero-emission capability
The Aurora Class is built with electrification and port compatibility in mind, featuring:
- 14 reinforced decks tailored for electric vehicle transport
- 1,500 m² of solar panels
- Shore power connectivity, reducing auxiliary engine emissions during port calls
This design evolution responds directly to pressure from automakers, regulators, and cargo owners seeking to cut Scope 3 emissions throughout the transport value chain.
LNG: Still a Key Transitional Fuel
For Shell, this bunkering highlights LNG’s strategic role as a “ready-now” alternative amid tightening emissions regulations. While green methanol and ammonia remain longer-term targets, LNG offers:
- Immediate GHG reductions of up to 20–23% versus conventional marine fuels
- NOₓ and SOₓ reductions, aiding in MARPOL Annex VI compliance
- A scalable bunkering network, with growing infrastructure at global ports
“We’re proud to provide LNG bunkering to our PCTC customers in locations including Singapore, Gibraltar, Zeebrugge, Antwerp, Rotterdam, and Savannah,” said Dexter Belmar, Vice President, Global Downstream LNG at Shell. “These operations represent a critical part of how we support the maritime sector’s energy transition — reliably and safely.”
Collaborative Supply Chain in Focus
The operation in Zeebrugge was a coordinated effort with Glander International Bunkering and Unicore Fuel Europe, showcasing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in LNG bunker logistics — a segment where timing, safety, and compatibility are non-negotiable.
Bunkering dual-fuel vessels like the Höegh Sunlight demands not only the right fuel, but the right expertise, infrastructure, and logistics orchestration — especially in constrained port environments.
Robin van Elderen, Regional Manager Europe at Unicore Fuel Europe, commented on the milestone “Great collaboration between industry-leading companies fostering decarbonization within the maritime industry!”
Positioning for What Comes Next
As decarbonization pressures mount and FuelEU Maritime regulations take effect in 2025, Shell’s role as a multi-fuel bunker supplier is becoming more central to how shipowners plan compliance strategies.
LNG may not be the final answer — but its availability, performance, and emissions profile make it a critical bridge fuel, particularly for vessels already under contract or construction.
At the same time, Höegh’s ammonia-ready design signals where the market is heading — and Shell’s involvement today may pave the way for bunkering operations of future zero-carbon fuels as infrastructure matures.
Navigating Compliance: IMO, FuelEU, and Med ECA at a Glance
This LNG bunkering operation comes at a time when shipping companies are navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment:
- The FuelEU Maritime Regulation, coming into force in 2025, will require a gradual reduction in the greenhouse gas intensity of marine fuels used in the EU, pushing shipowners to adopt lower-emission solutions like LNG, biofuels, methanol, and eventually, ammonia or hydrogen.
- The upcoming Mediterranean Emission Control Area (Med ECA), recently approved by the IMO, will enforce stricter sulphur oxide (SOx) limits starting in May 2025, aligning with existing ECAs in Northern Europe, the U.S., and China.
- Meanwhile, the IMO’s Revised GHG Strategy, adopted in 2023, sets ambitious targets to reach net-zero GHG emissions by around 2050, with interim checkpoints in 2030 and 2040, further accelerating the need for scalable bunkering of transitional and zero-emission fuels.
In this context, The partners’ combined LNG bunkering capabilities and Höegh’s investment in dual-fuel and ammonia-ready vessels represent a forward-looking response to regulatory pressure and customer demand for decarbonization.
Conclusion: A Tactical Bunkering Win, Strategically Aligned
The bunkering of the Höegh Sunlight is more than just another LNG operation — it’s a proof point of Industry leaders readiness to support new vessel classes, evolving fuel strategies, and the increasing pressure on maritime supply chains to decarbonize now, not later.
For Höegh Autoliners, it’s a further step in realizing its future fleet — and for the bunkering industry, it’s another signal that operational readiness and strategic flexibility are now core competitive assets.
About the Companies
Höegh Autoliners is a leading global provider of RoRo transportation services. The company’s Aurora Class vessels represent one of the most advanced, environmentally-friendly PCTC designs in the world, incorporating dual-fuel propulsion, shore power connectivity, and ammonia readiness.
Glander International Bunkering is a globally recognized marine fuel trading company with decades of experience in facilitating complex bunker operations across all major shipping hubs.
Unicore Fuel Europe is a dynamic marine energy company recognized for its financial resilience, regional agility, and deep commitment to sustainable sourcing and supply innovation. As a trusted partner to shipowners and operators, Unicore delivers a comprehensive suite of services.
Shell Marine is a global leader in marine energy solutions, offering a broad portfolio of fuels, lubricants, and technical services. Shell is investing in LNG, biofuels, and emerging fuels like ammonia to support the maritime sector’s energy transition and compliance with international emissions regulations.
Source Shell