Zeebrugge: ship-to-ship LNG-bunkering started

Until recently, LNG-powered vessels could only be refuelled by LNG trucks. The ENGIE Zeebrugge now allows for ship-to-ship LNG bunkering as well.

The first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations were performed with the new LNG-powered car & truck carriers AUTO ECO and AUTO ENERGY of shipowning company United European Car Carriers. The ENGIE Zeebrugge, in which mother company Fluxys is a partner, has Zeebrugge as its home port and loads LNG at the LNG terminal’s second jetty, specifically designed for also receiving very small LNG carriers.

Milestone

The first ship-to-ship bunkering operations are a key milestone in the development of the nascent LNG bunkering market, which needs the collaboration of many stakeholders to gain a foothold: industrial companies, manufacturers, regulatory bodies, port authorities, and shipping companies. The joint efforts of the companies and authorities involved seek to curb carbon and health impacting emissions in shipping and come in support of the European alternative fuels strategy for sustainable mobility.