The first purpose-built LNG bunkering vessel specifically designed to service a variety of LNG-fueled ships has been delivered to customers.

ENGIE, Fluxys, Mitsubishi Corp. and NYK have taken delivery of the world’s first purpose-built LNG bunkering vessels (LBV) from Hanjin Heavy Industries & Construction Co. Ltd., at the Yeongdo shipyard in Busan, South Korea. She will run on LNG for her maiden voyage.

ENGIE Zeebrugge, a 5-Mcm (176-Mcf) LNG capacity vessel that will supply marine fuel to ships operating in Northern Europe, will be based in Zeebrugge, Belgium. Two LNG-fueled pure car and truck carriers operated by United European Car Carriers will be its first customers.

The new ship was commissioned as tightening international regulations on ship emissions make LNG an important alternative fuel for the maritime industry. The bunker market amounts to about 250 million tons/year of heavy fuel oil.

The challenge in making LNG grow in the bunker market is to develop sufficient supply infrastructure to support the increasing number of LNG-fueled ships that are expected to come into operation.

Until now LNG-fueled ships have relied on fixed bunker locations or LNG trailers, which have limited bunkering capacity. With its ability to service a variety of ships, the deployment of ENGIE Zeebrugge marks a milestone in the European LNG bunkering chain.

In September 2016 ENGIE, Mitsubishi and NYK released Gas4Sea to market ship-to-ship LNG bunkering services worldwide, firstly via the ENGIE Zeebrugge in Northern Europe. Under this common brand, the partners intend to support the development of LNG as a marine fuel, thus contributing to an environmentally friendly maritime industry.

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