EMEA News
First Truck-to-Ship LNG Bunkering in Italy
LNGEurope B.V. (LNGEurope) carried out the first truck-to-ship bunkering of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Italy on May 16 at the Port of Civitavecchia, the Dutch company said in an emailed statement.
"This successful bunkering operation confirms the belief of LNGEurope that these safe bunkering operations will become routine for a steadily growing fleet of LNG fuelled ships, not only in Civitavecchia, but worldwide," said General Manager Koos Blaazer.
The company fuelled the world's second LNG-powered sea-going tugboat, Buksér og Berging AS's M/T Bokn, along the vessel's voyage from Sanmar Shipyard in Turkey to Karsto, Norway, where it will serve on contract with energy company Statoil.
LNGEurope will also bunker the tug in Zeebrugge, Belgium, while other providers will supply it with LNG at the Spanish ports of Cartagena and Vigo.
At Civitavecchia, LNGEurope worked with the Civitavecchia Port Authority, the Harbor Master, the Fire Fighting Department, the Conference on Liquefied Natural Gas (ConferenzaGNL), and Wilhelmsen Ships Agency to prepare for the bunkering operation.
"This bunkering operation is of great significance to Italy," said Paolo D'Ermo, program manager for ConferenzaGNL.
"It shows that the LNG as a ship fuel is a safe and sustainable solution that is gaining international importance."
LNGEurope previously bunkered the Bokn's sister ship, M/T Borgoy, in Zeebrugge.
