Alternative Fuels

Exclusive: Fratelli Cosulich in discussions with international banks for second LNG bunker tanker order

‘Maybe there is an opportunity to deploy the second LNG bunker tanker in Singapore,” Timothy Cosulich, CEO and Board Member of Fratelli Cosulich, tells Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Published

4 years ago

May 21, 2021

Admin

Genoa-based international shipping, shipments and logistics company Fratelli Cosulich Group is in discussions with international banks for a second liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker tanker order, learns Singapore bunkering publication Manifold Times.

Fratelli Cosulich on 10 May officially placed an order for the construction of its first LNG bunkering vessel; a 5,300 dwt newbuilding built at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China capable of transporting over 8,000 m³ of LNG and 500 m³ of MGO for bunkering.

The USD 45 million order from the shipyard comes with an option for another sistership which Fratelli Cosulich is keen to exercise, shares Timothy Cosulich, CEO and Board Member of Fratelli Cosulich.

“This is one of the biggest investments we have ever done. Being an Italian company we had many Italian banks keen on financing this deal [for the first order] and we were positively impressed by the key interest and financial support we received from these banks,” he says.

“Further, we managed to get a subsidy from the European Union for this investment which they consider to be important and strategic from an environmental point of view. We are heartened to know there are government institutions supporting our project.

“Now, the shipyard has offered us an option to order an additional LNG bunker tanker. We are in discussions with international banks to finance this [second] order.”

Fratelli Cosulich’s first LNG bunkering tanker will be deployed in the Mediterranean due to the commercial rationale that the region will be a good market for bunkering passenger vessels – which are increasingly adopting the use of LNG as a marine fuel.

“The order book for newbuildings indicates that 25-30% of vessels on order are now either dual-fuelled or LNG-ready so clearly there is a real interest in LNG. These orders are mostly containerships, large tankers, and cruise/passenger vessels so there is already a market,” he explains.

The location for the company’s second LNG bunkering tanker, however, is still undecided, according to Cosulich.

“We are evaluating different options for the second LNG bunkering tanker. We know there is demand in Northern Europe,” he reveals.

“On the other hand, we know the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore has been issuing additional bunkering licences for LNG. With the growing number of LNG bunker suppliers, we also expect growing demand; maybe there is an opportunity to deploy the second LNG bunker tanker in Singapore.

“We are an Italian family business, but Singapore is clearly our second home. We have been here for more than 30 years since the 1980’s and we will be happy to increase our presence at the Republic.”

Cosulich says his company was fortunate to have accumulated experience in the handling of LNG since 15 years ago, when the firm took over the technical management of the FSRU Toscana situated off the coast of Tuscany.

As such, Fratelli Cosulich was able to utilise this knowhow into writing their own specifications for the recently ordered LNG bunkering vessel.

While acknowledging that there are short-term and long-term solutions available to help shipping achieve decarbonisation, Cosulich believes LNG is the first step in helping the maritime sector meet its sustainability goals.

“Some companies focus on investing in long-term solutions such as hydrogen, ammonia, methanol, batteries and I don’t think this is wrong, but these solutions are not available in the short-term,” he notes.

“We cannot wait until those solutions are available. We need to start doing something and the only available solution at scale right now, allowing for significant emissions reductions, is LNG.

“We know LNG itself is a transition fuel which might have a 20-year lifespan and if we consider bio LNG that life-span might be even longer. In the meantime, we can significantly reduce emissions in the short term with LNG – that’s why we decided to go for it.”

Moving forward, Cosulich encouraged players to take action in helping shipping achieve its decarbonisation goal.

“In shipping, most of all as an industry spend 5-10 years talking about decarbonisation and the problem is we specifically spend time talking instead of doing,” he states.

“So, I think it is important we as an industry get started doing rather than just talking about it at conferences.”

Photo credit: Fratelli Cosulich
Published: 21 May, 2021

LNG Bunkering

Singapore: MPA launches EOI to expand LNG bunkering services amid growing demand

MPA is seeking proposals to explore scalable solutions for sea-based LNG reloading to complement existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and e/bio-methane supply as a marine fuel.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) to explore scalable solutions for sea-based liquefied natural gas (LNG) reloading to complement the existing onshore LNG bunkering storage and jetty capacities and the supply of e/bio-methane as marine fuel in the Port of Singapore.

MPA said LNG bunkering in Singapore has grown from 16,000 tonnes delivered in 2022 to over 385,000 tonnes delivered from January to October 2024.

According to the EOI, demand for LNG bunkering is expected to grow further with a growing global fleet of LNG dual-fuelled vessels and competitive LNG bunker prices.

“The EOI seeks to gather proposals on three areas: to scale up sea-based reloading operations, including ship-to-bunker barge LNG operations; to facilitate the supply of LNG alternatives such as liquefied bio-methane; and to develop floating platform concepts to enhance bunkering safety and efficiency,” MPA added.

“The EOI proposals should also include mitigation measures to address the issue of methane slip on a well-to-wake basis.”

Participants in the EOI do not need to be an existing LNG bunkering licensee. Participants are required to propose models for operationalising sea-based LNG reloading starting from 2025. Participants selected will be required to conduct trials in Singapore to validate the proposed solution’s operational feasibility and safety.

“Insights gained from the EOI and trials will inform MPA’s review of the LNG licensing framework, including enhancements to supply to better serve the industry’s bunkering needs,” it said.

Note: Interested parties can visit the MPA website for details and submission guidelines. Proposals must be submitted by 28 February 2025, 1pm (Singapore time).

Photo credit: Manifold Times
Published: 13 December, 2024

LNG Bunkering

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Firm will supply cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel currently being built at Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

Wärtsilä wins LNG systems order for Vitol bunkering newbuild vessel

Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, part of technology group Wärtsilä, on Friday (13 December) said it has won a contract to supply Cargo Handling and Fuel Gas Supply systems for a new 12,500 m3 LNG bunkering vessel.

The vessel is being built at the Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard in China, for global energy company Vitol.

“Wärtsilä’s ability to engineer, design and deliver a complete system, including the Boil-Off Gas (BOG) management, integrated fuel supply, custody transfer and bunkering transfer systems, was central to the contract award,” Wärtsilä said, adding the order was booked by the company in Q4, 2024.

Richie Zhu, Sales Manager, Wärtsilä Gas Solutions, China, said: “LNG is today an important marine fuel and is rapidly becoming the preferred choice for owners and operators seeking more sustainable fuel options. The market for LNG bunkering vessels is increasing in line with this trend, and we have established a leading position in supplying modern and reliable systems that optimise overall cargo handling efficiency for such vessels.”

Manifold Times previously reported Vitol securing three LNG Bunkering Vessels (LNGBV) through its shipping company, Vitol International Shipping Pte Ltd (VIS).

The vessels were secured via a seven to ten year time charter agreement with Avenir LNG Limited (Avenir) and an order for two vessels at the CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering Co. Ltd shipyard in Nantong, China.

The time charter agreement with Avenir is for one newbuild 20,000 m3 LNGBV. The time charter will commence at delivery from the shipyard in China in Q4 2026 and will serve a period of seven years with options to extend up to ten years in total.

Vitol also ordered one 12,500 m3 and one 20,000 m3 LNGBV at the CIMC SOE shipyard in China. The vessels will be delivered in Q4 2026 and Q3 2027 respectively.

Photo credit: Wärtsilä
Published: 13 December, 2024

Newbuilding

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

Vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering.

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2024

Admin

UECC deploys LNG dual-fuel newbuild “Blue Aspire” on key European route

United European Car Carriers (UECC) on Wednesday (11 December) said it has further expanded its fleet of eco-friendly car carriers with the addition of the dual-fuel LNG newbuild Blue Aspire.

The vessel is set to boost vessel capacity on its key European North-South trading network from mid-December this year after recent delivery from a Chinese shipyard.

The 200-metre long Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC), delivered from CIMC Raffles Offshore Engineering, has capacity for nearly 7000 vehicles on 12 cargo decks.

UECC will operate the vessel together with another five vessels on a route between the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, traversing the Turkish ports of Yenikoy and Autoport, the German port of Cuxhaven, and Zeebrugge, Belgium every 4.5 days.

“Deployment of the Blue Aspire will boost tremendously capacity and sailing frequency on this busy trade route, currently serviced by five vessels, while further enhancing the sustainability of the UECC fleet,” said the company’s COO Per Christian Mørk.

The latest fleet addition will increase to six the number of UECC-operated vessels plying the North-South network, taking in a total of 10 ports on two routes, after the recent deployment of the renamed Auto Way that was acquired by UECC’s joint owner Wallenius Lines from Höegh Autoliners earlier this year.

It will also boost the size of UECC’s owned and chartered fleet to 15 PCTCs, including five dual and multi-fuel LNG vessels - three with battery hybrid capability - delivered in the past decade, with another two multi-fuel LNG newbuilds currently on order that are set for delivery in 2028 and options for two similar units.

“We are expanding our fleet with greater capacity and cargo-carrying flexibility to provide a more efficient service for clients in response to increasing demand as we see longer-term growth potential in this market,” Mørk explained.

Mørk said sustainability is now a key priority in procurement of maritime transport services to meet the environmental goals of vehicle manufacturers amid new green regulations - including FuelEU Maritime and the EU ETS - that provide a commercial incentive to reduce the cost of GHG emissions.

“UECC is catering to this market requirement with an eco-friendly fleet geared to minimizing the environmental footprint of vessel operations with progressive reductions in carbon intensity, in line with regulation, through adoption of energy-efficient technologies and alternative fuels,” he says.

Mørk noted that, while LNG can reduce emissions by around 25% compared with conventional fossil fuels, there is potential to greatly enhance environmental performance on LNG-fuelled vessels like Blue Aspire by switching to liquefied biomethane (LBM) that offers net-zero potential.

UECC is now increasing application of the latter fuel on its dual-fuel LNG PCTCs after recently securing an LBM supply agreement with Titan Clean Fuels that is forecast to cut its overall fleet emissions by 75,000 tons in 2025.

“The Blue Aspire therefore represents a valuable addition to the UECC fleet that underpins our market commitment to sustainability, while contributing to decarbonization of shipping,” Mørk concludes.

Photo credit: United European Car Carriers
Published: 13 December, 2024