Port of Amsterdam Marks First LNG Bunkering of an OGV

The recently converted dual-fuel tanker Fure West was bunkered with LNG on Tuesday.

The Port of Amsterdam today announced that the port has marked the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering of an ocean going vessel (OGV), FureTank's chemical and oil tanker Fure West.

The recently converted dual-fuel tanker was bunkered with LNG through a truck to ship operation on Tuesday at Groene Kade in the Amerikahaven, says the port.

"The use of LNG for shipping is on the rise, as a result of stricter environmental regulation, a sound business case and growing public pressure to make shipping cleaner," said Niels den Nijs, CEO of Titan LNG B.V. (Titan LNG), which supplied the LNG during the operation from the GATE terminal.

The port notes that inland navigation vessels have been receiving LNG bunkers in the Amerikahaven since 2013, with recent enhancements to the quay making it possible for OGVs to bunker there as well.

"Port of Amsterdam is fully committed to making shipping sustainable. This is needed to provide a sustainable solution to the demands of logistics and regulation. The facilitation of safe bunkering operations with new and cleaner shipping fuels is a good example of this," said Marleen van de Kerkhof, State Harbour Master.

"The Groene Kade is now a temporary facility. Together with various partners such as Titan LNG, we are looking to create a more permanent bunker facility that is both safe and efficient. Today's bunkering operation was a successful first step in this direction."

The port says the facility is part of the company's sustainability plan and supports the aim of developing a "faster, smarter and cleaner" metropolitan port.

"Using LNG as a fuel has huge benefits for the environment. Sulfur and particle emissions would be reduced to almost zero, and nitrogen oxide emission is cut by 85-90 percent. LNG may also reduce the emission of greenhouse gases," said the port.

Last month, Ship & Bunker reported that Titan LNG had issued a request for quotes for the fabrication of a LNG bunkering pontoon from several Eastern European shipbuilders.