LNG

KPI OceanConnect, the international maritime fuel provider, has cooperated with Dutch LNG bunkering player Titan Clean Energy to re-fuel a Pure Car and Truck Carrier for the first time at the northwest German port of Emden near the North Sea coast of East Frisia.

The PCTC vessel is named “Emden” after the port and is owned by SFL Corp., the Hamilton, Bermuda-based shipping company listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

“The success of the operation performed by Titan with the collaboration of KPI OceanConnect and SFL, highlights the flexibility and efficiency of all parties, and their shared commitment to ensuring a smooth bunkering process,” said a statement.

The three companies said they collectively recognised LNG as “a crucial component” of the future fuel mix for the maritime industry.

China newbuild

The LNG dual-fuel PCTC was delivered in September 2023 from the Chinese shipbuilders Guangzhou Shipbuilding International Co.

The vessel has a total length of 200 metres is 38 metres at the beam and has a design draft of 8.6 metres and a speed of 19 knots. The “Emden” has 13 decks and can carry about 7,000 cars.

“We are incredibly proud of the trust displayed in us by a forward-thinking owner such as SFL, and delighted to have partnered with a world-class supplier, Titan, to complete this supply of 3,000 cubic metres of LNG,” said Jesper Sørensen, Global Head of Alternative Fuels at KPI OceanConnect.

“This significant achievement underscores KPI OceanConnect's unwavering commitment to supporting the growing role of LNG in the shipping industry's energy transition,” Sørensen added.

“The operation marks our inaugural LNG deal for a car carrier - testament to the company's dedication to advancing sustainability through partnerships up and down the supply chain,” stated Sørensen.

Michael Schaap, Commercial Director of Amsterdam-based Titan, noted that demand for LNG was rising and becoming a mainstream fuel since it is widely available and enables ship operators to reduce emissions now.

“This operation highlights our commitment to consistently serve our clients as a trustworthy provider of cleaner fuels and we look forward to continuing to enhance our LNG and bio-LNG bunkering capabilities as the market grows,” Schaap added.

Titan LNG, the bunkering fuel supplier in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) area of northwest Europe, has partnered with Malaysian energy company Petronas for a successful re-fuelling operation for an LNG-powered Very Large Crude Carrier chartered by Koch Industries of the US.

Titan LNG, a Dutch supplier to the marine and industrial markets with quayside and ship-to-ship delivery of LNG to river barges and sea-going ships in the ports such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp has commissioned a short-term LNG truck-loading facility in the Belgian Port of Zeebrugge.

Titan said its “Project Bridge” has been designed to accommodate LNG truck-loadings as an interim solution during a four-week period in which the Dutch Gate LNG import terminal in Rotterdam is undergoing essential maintenance.

“The Titan LNG chartered ‘Green Zeebrugge’ is filling up trucks at the quay of the PSA terminal in Zeebrugge to serve bunkering customers in the ARA region, Zeebrugge, and surrounding areas,” explained Titan.

Equipped with two loading bays, the interim fuelling station was commissioned and developed by Titan LNG’s in-house team, in collaboration with small-scale LNG market participants to trial the project’s operations.

To ensure safety the HAZOP and HAZID sessions were performed at short notice.

The Port Authorities of Zeebrugge and the terminal were involved in initial plans for the project to ensure compliance for this temporary set-up, including the step-by-step protocols and designs.

The facility was assembled and is being operated by Rijlaarsdam Tech, Titan LNG’s project partners.

“Operator Rijlaarsdam and Titan LNG passed the vetting and approval process due to the preparation and robustness of the documentation and training of the crew on the quay, providing confidence to the Authorities that safe operations could be carried out for the duration of the four-week period,” said Titan.

“During normal operations, the GATE terminal loads some 600 trailers per month and the Fluxys terminal in Zeebrugge cannot fill this demand for extra slots, meaning it would not have sufficient capacity to ensure the demand for the downstream market,” added the Dutch company.

The project aims to handle additional LNG demand coming to Zeebrugge starting from mid-July of this year and is expected to fulfil up to 300 orders during its deployment.

“This is an immensely proud moment for the team at Titan LNG and for the LNG market sector,” said Michael Schaap, Titan LNG’s Commercial Director of Marine.

“It takes LNG terminals years to install this functionality, and we did it in a matter of months. I would like to thank all our project partners for the hard work and perseverance that went into this success,” stated Schaap.

Tom van den Akker, Project Manager at Titan LNG, said that “Project Bridge” required a broad range of competencies and resources from Titan LNG, including safety managers, operations, engineering, and the commercial department.

“The complexity of the project and the innovation required, in addition to the short deadlines certainly presented some challenges,” explained Akker.

“Our project team successfully hit the milestones that were planned, and we’re extremely proud to bring the solution to the market,” he added.

Current truck loadings are done daily during weekdays, while the “Green Zeebrugge” will load LNG from the Fluxys terminal in Zeebrugge on Saturdays and Sundays to replenish the FlexFueler bunker barges in the ARA area.

Following the completion of the “Bridge” project at Zeebrugge, Titan aims to deploy the same facility to other locations across the European Union. 

Feb 5 (LNGJ) - Titan LNG, a Dutch-based LNG supplier, has agreed with Japanese shipping company NYK Line to charter the LNG bunkering vessel, “Green Zeebrugge”. The ship, previously known as the “Engie Zeebrugge”, was renamed by NYK after it became the sole owner. The charter agreement gives Titan LNG use of the “Green Zeebrugge” for “several years”.

   The vessel, with capacity of 5,200 cubic metres, will be used to supply fuel to larger LNG-powered vessels in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp (ARA) region. “We are excited to announce the chartering of the 'Green Zeebrugge'. January has proven exceptionally busy, underlining the timeliness of our decision to secure this additional capacity,” said Michael Schaap, Titan’s Commercial Director.