LNG bunkering barge FlexFueler002 delivered to owners to start servicing the Antwerp port and region for cleaner shipping

Fluxys and Titan LNG have built the FlexFueler 002 LNG bunkering barge to support the shipping industry in its switch to cleaner operations in the Antwerp port and region. The vessel will make liquefied natural gas (LNG) more widely available as alternative shipping fuel from its home location at Quay 526/528 as from February 2021.

Sister vessels FlexFueler 001 and FlexFueler 002 during tests in the Port of Amsterdam

Immediate improvement of air quality

Regulations for sulphur content in shipping fuel have become stricter and additional environmental limitations will be imposed in the near future. LNG therefore has become increasingly more attractive as an alternative fuel in shipping: it immediately cuts emissions of sulphur and particulate matter to negligible levels while emissions of nitrogen oxides are dramatically reduced as well.

Fully carbon neutral choices underway

The FlexFueler 002 and the other LNG bunkering infrastructure in the port of Antwerp have the benefit of not requiring additional investments to offer fully carbon neutral choices moving forward. Titan LNG as the long-term operator of the bunkering barge is confident to make available liquefied biogas (from organic waste) or liquefied synthetic methane (from green hydrogen and captured CO2) to LNG-powered vessels soon after starting operations in February 2021.

Flexible bunkering options

The advantage of the FlexFueler 002 is its flexibility: inland waterway vessels and coasters will have the option to get bunkered with LNG wherever they are loading or unloading their cargo. The bunkering barge will be operating from Quay 526/528 where Fluxys facilitates truck-to-ship bunkering and Titan LNG operates a permanent bunkering point for inland waterway vessels.

Last trials and crew training

Fluxys and Titan LNG joined forces in early 2019 to build the FlexFueler 002 and shipbuilder Kooiman Marine recently delivered the vessel. Titan LNG is currently conducting the last trials and finalising crew training.

Pascal de Buck, CEO of Fluxys: 'We are proud to offer with partner Titan LNG a key logistic link for the shipping industry to switch to cleaner operations in the Antwerp port and region. The prospect of introducing with our newly built bunkering barge fully carbon neutral options in the foreseeable future strengthens us in our commitment to press ahead with the energy transition.'

Ronald van Selm, CTO of Titan LNG: 'We would like to thank Kooiman Marine Group for building another landmark LNG bunker vessel. We are very anxious to add this vessel to our fleet of owned and chartered LNG bunker vessels. Building on the very fruitful cooperation during the development and building process, we are confident that together with Fluxys, LNG bunkering in Antwerp will be a daily business soon. Jointly with the Port of Antwerp we have already delivered LNG numerous times with the FlexFueler001, so we can guarantee our customers the safety framework is in place and functioning.'