LNG bunkering vessel makes first ship-to-ship fuel delivery

The ENGIE Zeebrugge made its first weekly delivery of liquified natural gas to two PCTC vessels at the Port of Zeebrugge this week, according to joint owner NYK Line.    The first purpose-built liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel, the ENGIE Zeebrugge, made its first deliveries of LNG to two PCTC vessels since arriving at the Port of Zeebrugge back in April.
   The ENGIE Zeebrugge now operates a weekly service to PCTCs at the Belgian seaport, making it the world’s first LNG bunkering vessel to perform regular ship-to-ship bunkering services, according to NYK Line.
   ENGIE Zeebrugge is jointly owned by ENGIE, Mitsubishi Corporation, NYK, and Fluxys. With an LNG capacity of 5,000 cubic meters, she will service all types of shipping customers in Northern Europe from her home port of Zeebrugge, under the brand Gas4Sea, said NYK Line.
   The brand Gas4Sea was launched in September 2016 by three of the four joint owners – NYK Line, ENGIE  and Mitsubishi – to promote and develop the use of LNG as a sustainable alternative to conventional oil-based marine fuel.
   The same three joint owners are also members of the SEA/LNG organization, which was formed last year after the International Maritime Organization’s mandate regarding the use of low-sulfur marine fuels, leading many carriers and companies to seek out alternative fuel sources like LNG.