The FlexFueler001 has performed its first official LNG bunkering. This took place on 14 June in the Port of Rotterdam with Norlines' Kvitnos as the receiving vessel. It makes Titan LNG the first accredited LNG supplier able to deliver by inland water barge.
'We are proud the FlexFueler 001 is up and running after it successfully completed its trials,' commented Ronald van Selm, Chief Operating Officer at Titan LNG. 'We can now offer safe, reliable and efficient bunkering that resembles conventional bunkering and are ready to serve more LNG powered vessels in the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp.' The LNG bunker permit for Rotterdam and the overall LNG bunkering accreditation were granted last month by an IAPH audit team.
Bunkering by Barge Saves Time
Samskip, operator of the LNG powered Norlines vessels – the Kvitnos and the Kvitbjørn -, has a weekly service into Rotterdam and requires a high reliability of LNG supply. Paul Wielaars, Trade Manager West Coast Norway: 'We’re excited to bunker LNG alongside the terminal. This saves us time as we are no longer dependent on truck to ship operations. Bunkering at the same time as cargo operations take place, can save us up till eight hours.'
LNG Business Case
The business case for LNG powered vessels remains very compelling. Hurdles are coming down for widespread adoption of this cleaner fuel. The economics have worked out well for early adopters of LNG as a marine fuel, currently burning an ECA and IMO 2020 compliant fuel at the price of heavy fuel oil.
Third LNG Bunker Barge Planned
The FlexFueler001 is part of a series of vessels. Titan LNG will deploy the FlexFueler002, currently under construction and ready by mid 2020, in the Port of Antwerp. The third barge will be announced in the coming months.
Picture (top): The FlexFueler001, an inside look (from SWZ|Maritime's inland shipping special, April 2019).
