Total, MOL to charter LNG bunker ship in France
TOTAL Marine Fuels Global Solutions ( TMFGS) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have signed a long-term charter contract for an LNG bunker vessel that will operate in France.
Jérôme Leprince-Ringuet, managing director of TMFGS said LNG is the best available alternative to reduce shipping environmental footprint, as it significantly improves air quality and strongly contributes to greenhouse gases reduction.
“We are proud to launch with MOL the first large LNG bunkering vessel in France. With this agreement we reaffirm our positive contribution to a sustainable shipping industry and our commitment to offer our customers a comprehensive network of supply for this clean marine fuel,” he said.
The TMFGS and MOL agreement came after the launching of Total’s first LNG bunker vessel last month in Shanghai, which would supply LNG bunker to CMA CGM 23,000 TEU1 containerships in Northern Europe.
The new LNG bunker is the second LNG bunker vessel to be delivered in 2021. Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China would build this bunker vessel. It would have a capacity of 18,600 m³ for a length of about
135 meters and would be fitted with the Mark III membrane containment system provided by French company GTT. This vessel has been specifically designed to supply LNG bunker in the Mediterranean area to a wide range of vessels, including containerships, tankers, and ferries and large cruise ships.
The bunker ship would be positioned in the Marseille-Fos area in France.
It was expected to meet the highest technical and environmental standards, using LNG as propulsion fuel and integrating a complete re-liquefaction of the boil- off gas.
The vessel would be operated under French flag by MOL, jointly with GAZOCEAN, a pioneering company based in Marseille and one of the most experienced in LNG transportation.
Kenta Matsuzaka, MOL managing executive officer, said this is the second LNG bunker vessel for Total, and they were extremely honored that they were selected as a partner.
“This project will further solidify our relationship. In recent years, the role of LNG has changed enormously. LNG of course, serves as a clean energy source, and we expect to see wider use for it as a vessel fuel, so we anticipate significant growth in the future. At MOL, we take a proactive stance in the LNG fuel business and will contribute to achieving global UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through this project,”
Matsuzaka said.