Shell, a prominent energy company, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting the inaugural LNG bunkering operation for MSC Euribia in Rotterdam. This accomplishment was made possible through a recent agreement forged with MSC Cruises, wherein Shell undertakes the responsibility of supplying marine fuels for the cruise line’s innovative second LNG-powered vessel.
MSC Cruises S.A. and Shell Western LNG B.V. (Shell) have entered into an agreement for Shell to provide marine fuels for the line’s second liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered newbuild, MSC Euribia, currently operating in Northern Europe.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises Executive Chairman, stated, “LNG is an important step forward in our ambition to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The fuel is one in transition and poised to make way for carbon-neutral bio-LNG and eventually synthetic LNG that we look forward to using as and when they become available at scale as part of our longer-term decarbonization journey.
“This new agreement further demonstrates the ongoing strategic cooperation between MSC Group and Shell towards achieving broader shared decarbonization objectives through our existing partnership, as reflected in our 2021 agreement for this purpose.”
MSC Cruises has invested €3 billion in three LNG-powered cruise ships: the first, MSC World Europa, set sail in December 2022; the second is MSC Euribia, and MSC World America will join the fleet in 2025.
Tahir Faruqui, General Manager, Shell Global Downstream LNG, added, “This agreement illustrates how LNG provides shipping companies with a scalable path to net-zero emissions, allowing them to flexibly transition from fuel oil to fossil LNG today, and subsequently to bio-LNG and renewable synthetic LNG as these options become accessible. With an extensive LNG bunkering network, we stand prepared to support major players like MSC Cruises on its energy transition.”
At Shell, we want to support our Shipping Sector customers to realise their decarbonisation ambitions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target to reduce the total emissions from shipping by at least, 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels, and carbon intensity by at least 40% by 2030, and 70% by 2050. Our own target is to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, this includes both emissions from our own operations and emissions from the products we sell to customers.
Shell has developed the world’s largest LNG bunkering network on key trading routes, enabling more customers to choose LNG. This includes:
- 19 bunkering locations across 12 countries
- 12 bunkering vessels
- Completed 1000+ bunkering operations 12 countries
Source Shell