Shell Marine, part of the giant UK energy group, recently undertook its first LNG bunkering operation for TUI Cruises in Barcelona.
According to Dexter Belmar, Shell’s General Manager and Head of Global Downstream LNG, this milestone was achieved utilising the company’s chartered LNG bunker barge ’Haugesund Knutsen’, which supplied TUI’s ’Mein Schiff Relax’ with LNG.
“Barcelona, one of Europe and the Mediterranean’s leading cruise ports, is also a key LNG bunkering location for Shell, as we help more cruise ships transition to lower-emission fuels,” he said in a social media post.
“A huge thank you to Royal Caribbean Group for their trust, and to Knutsen and Port of Barcelona for their collaboration in making this bunkering safe and efficient,” he added.
Belmar also claimed that LNG was leading the way as the preferred alternative bunker fuel in the cruise industry.
“At Shell, we’re proud to support LNG fuelling needs at 26 locations worldwide, including major cruise ports like Bahamas, Barcelona, (Port) Canaveral, (Port) Everglades, Jamaica, Miami, Singapore, Southampton, and Tenerife,” he explained.
Barcelona’s LNG growth is accelerating fast, as last year, there were 491 LNG bunkering operations carried out within the port with 229,751 cu m of LNG bunkered.
Some 89 were undertaken by barge and another 400 plus were delivered by truck.
Shell Marine also revealed that it had partnered with Carnival Corp to supply bio-LNG bunker fuel to P&O Cruises’ ’Arvia’, at Southampton.
Belmar highlighted the timely delivery, as it coincided with the IMO’s recent announcement of mid-term measures aimed at accelerating the adoption of bio and synthetic fuels.
“A big thank you to Carnival Corporation, the Port of Southampton, and the (Rotterdam) GATE terminal for ensuring the safe completion of this bunkering,” he said in a social media post.
Shell Marine said bio-LNG is available at several of its bunkering locations in Europe and the Americas, enabling LNG-powered ships to take a step towards net zero GHG emissions.
“With bio-LNG easily blended with conventional LNG, our shipping customers have the flexibility to set their carbon intensity requirements to meet their compliance and de-carbonisation targets,” Shell said.
