LNG

InfraVia Capital Partners, the France-based equity firm and owner of Spanish-headquartered Molgas Energy, has become the strategic partners of Dutch LNG bunkering operator Titan Energy Holdings with a capital injection in return for a combined minority stake.

Titan Energy, the Amsterdam-based parent company of Titan Clean Fuels, closed a successful funding round for a 45 percent equity stake with further follow-on rights for Molgas.

The value of the total InfraVia-Molgas-Titan transaction was not disclosed.

Molgas itself was acquired three years ago by InfraVia and is a leader in small-scale downstream LNG and the supply of renewable gas made from waste in Western Europe.

Molgas has been active for over 20 years in providing LNG to industrial, cogeneration, vehicle and maritime customers.

LNG supply fleet

Titan for its part owns and operates a diverse fleet of small-scale LNG and liquid bio-methane supply vessels and barges deployed globally.

The Dutch operator has built up experience of ship-to-ship operations across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Southeast Asia, the Cape Verde Islands and the Caribbean.

Titan is also part of a consortium constructing the world’s largest bio-methane liquefaction plant in the Port of Amsterdam, which will produce over 100,000 tonnes of per annum.

“We have been considering a growth partner for some time and believe we have found the perfect partner in InfraVia-Molgas investors,” said Niels den Nijs, Chief Executive of Titan.

“Titan will retain independence, while benefiting from the complementary service offering of Molgas. Legislation and public scrutiny are stimulating the demand for low and zero-emissions fuels with growing momentum,” added Den Nijs.

Capital boost

“The new capital will allow us to accelerate our growth plans and focus all our efforts on the maritime sector exactly at the time of fast-growing market,” the CEO stated.

Fernando Sarasola, Executive Chairman of Molgas, said he was delighted to team up with Titan, which he recognized as the leading independent company in the marine bunkering field.

“Our portfolio of complementary offerings will establish the group as the go-to partner for energy transition LNG and alternative fuels for off-grid industrials, trucking and maritime businesses across Europe,” Sarasola added.

Athanasios Zoulovits, a Partner at InfraVia Capital, said the “critical need for LNG” as a transition fuel for the industrial, mobility and maritime sectors and its efficient pathway to further decarbonisation was becoming increasingly clear.

“Our acquisition of Molgas in 2020 enabled us to get started in this space and Molgas has grown at a fast pace to become a leader in onshore solutions in Western Europe,” stated Zoulovits.

Brittany Ferries, the French line that links the UK with Spain and France, has signed an LNG fuel supply deal for newbuild roll-on-roll-off passenger and freight vessels connecting Portsmouth in England with two French ports.

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. 

May 4 (LNG) - 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, announced a development tender for a new LNG bunkering barge. It will be called “Titan Krios” and be deployed at the Belgian Port of Zeebrugge and in the English Channel ports.

   “The new vessel, which will fulfil part of the base demand in Zeebrugge that Titan LNG is already supplying, will operate with multiple tanks to segregate streams of LNG and bio-LNG (made from waste),” explained Titan. The new Titan vessel will offer 4,200 cubic metres of capacity from 2023. The tender comes just one month after the naming and subsequent launch of the “FlexFueler002”, a co-built LNG bunkering barge from Titan and Belgian gas network company Fluxys.

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. 

Fluxys, the Belgian grid operator and owner of the Zeebrugge LNG terminal and with a large stake in Dunkirk LNG in France, has taken delivery along with Dutch joint venture partner Titan LNG of a bunkering barge to operate in the Antwerp region of the European Union energy sector.

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 of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp, has launched a free-to-use LNG-delivered prices overview.

Heerema Group, the Dutch marine offshore contractor and owner of the biggest and strongest semi-submersible crane ever built, the “Sleipnir”, said the vessel has received the world’s largest ever LNG bunkering load in the Port of Rotterdam.

Three Dutch companies have cooperated in the bunkering with liquefied natural gas off Indonesia of the world’s largest and strongest semi-submersible crane, now headed for Europe.

Heerema Group, the Dutch marine offshore contractor, said the crane built in Singapore will be heading for Spain.

The semi-submersible crane, called the “Sleipnir”, will take 45 days to reach its destination. The vessel can be powered on a dual-fuel basis with LNG and Marine Gasoil (MGO), thus reducing harmful emissions.

The vessel has just received LNG in a ship-to-ship transfer 12 miles off the coast of Indonesia from the LNG bunkering vessel, the 10,000 cubic metres capacity “Coral Fraseri”, owned and managed by Dutch shipping line Anthony Veder.

“Since LNG is not yet obtainable worldwide this is among the first LNG bunkering operations in this area of the world,” said Heerema.

Another Dutch company, Amsterdam-based fuel supplier Titan LNG, has chartered the “Coral Fraseri” for the fuel operation, thus resulting in unique Dutch cooperation.

“We are excited by serving Heerema’s ‘Sleipnir’ in this LNG bunkering operation in cooperation with Titan LNG, and look forward to many more,” said Jan Valkier, Chief Executive of Anthony Veder.

“Shortly after adding the ‘Coral Fraseri’ to our fleet we have already mobilized her in the small-scale LNG market, which underlines our strong position and commitment in supplying the maritime industry worldwide sustainable solutions for LNG as marine fuel,” added Valkier.

Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven, the CEO of Heerema, said that not only was the “Sleipnir” the world’s largest and strongest sea-borne crane, it is also first of its kind as far as sustainability goes.

“We are making offshore history. No other vessel has such numerous features. Our LED lights and shore-power electricity are only a few examples of Heerema’s ambition in this area,” added Van Brouwershaven.

“The ‘Sleipnir’ design clearly showcases Heerema’s dedication to sustainability beyond simply compliance,” explained the Heerema CEO.

“It shows that we act sustainable because we want to. Not because we have to. This specific project of bunkering LNG is proof of this ambition,” he stated.

“We are very pleased to work together with Dutch company Titan LNG, since it provided us with good solutions for bunkering, in Singapore as well as in Spain. The involvement of a second Dutch company, Anthony Veder, makes this maiden voyage extra special,” added Van Brouwershaven

Anthony Veder said the “Sleipnir” will now set sail for Spain, rounding South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope.

In Spain, Titan LNG and the “Coral Fraseri”, which is returning to Europe via the Suez Canal, will again supply LNG bunkering services for the “Sleipnir”.