LNG Bunkering

First successful conversion of a dredger to dual-fuel LNG / MGO

Ultimately, over 25 tonnes of piping were reengineered, fabricated and installed for the project, says Damen.

Published

7 years ago

June 27, 2019

Admin

The first European dredger converted to dual-fuel LNG/MGO propulsion has departed Damen Shiprepair Dunkerque (DSDu) to return to work 23 months after contract signing, says Damen.

The 117 metre, 8,500m³ trailing suction hopper dredger Samuel de Champlain is owned by Rouen-based GIE Dragages-Ports and operated by the Port of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire.

Damen delivered a turnkey package that included engineering, procurement, installation, commissioning and support. Key features included changing of the engines to dual-fuel (LNG/Diesel) models, the installation of onboard LNG storage facilities, and maintenance support for eight years.

As with all pioneering projects, the DSDu team encountered and overcame a series of unforeseen challenges from the start.

This included significant revisions to the detailed engineering after a decision was taken to install different engines than had originally been planned. The new engines are considerably larger than those first specified and so DSDu had to completely rethink its methodology, which included the building of an entirely new engine room in their workshop.

A follow-on consequence of that was the need to reassess the interface linking the electrical facilities to the new engines. The cabling was complex and creativity was needed to reduce as much as possible the number of cables needed for the interface.

Also, the new engine configuration resulted in the need for a considerable renewal and extension of all piping. Ultimately, over 25 tonnes of piping were reengineered, fabricated and installed, absorbing extra time and resources especially to accurately fit the new piping to the old.

Even the commissioning required careful thought. As this was the first dredger conversion using this type of propulsion, setting the parameters for the engine performance had to start with fresh thinking and a clean piece of paper.

“We knew at the outset that this project would be a voyage into uncharted waters,” said Mark Jan van den Akker, Managing Director of DSDu.

“We have however acquired much valuable experience along the way that we can apply to future works of this type. It was definitely worth going the extra mile to successfully deliver this ground-breaking project. We hope she will pave the way to greatly reducing the emissions of a class of vessels that typically works close to the shore.”

The Samuel de Champlain was built in 2002 and is the largest vessel in the GIE Dragages-Ports fleet. Based in the Grand Port Maritime of Nantes-Saint-Nazaire, she divides her time between the Loire and Seine estuaries. The conversion project was made possible by a subsidy from the European Commission's Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) via its Connecting Europe Facility programme.

The conversion of the Samuel de Champlain is intended to demonstrate the feasibility of using LNG as a fuel on smaller vessels as well as allow GIE Dragages-Ports to fulfil its mission of optimising costs via lower fuel bills and less engine maintenance, while at the same time delivering greatly reduced emissions of CO2, NOx and particulate matter emissions.

“We hope that this conversion will demonstrate to other short-sea vessels the benefits of switching to LNG,” said Jean-Pierre Guellec, CEO of GIE Dragages-Ports, “and mark the first stage of the development of an LNG bunkering network on the Atlantic coast of mainland Europe.”

Photo credit: Damen
Published: 27 June, 2019

LNG Bunkering

CCEC and CMA CGM form joint venture to build and operate LNG bunkering vessel

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp. (CCEC), an international owner of ocean-going gas vessels, on Friday (12 June) announced the formation of a joint venture company with CMA CGM.

Each party will hold a 50% ownership stake in the joint venture, which has been established for the purpose of constructing, chartering, and operating one 20,000 cbm dual-fuel LNG bunkering vessel.

The joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into the LNG bunkering segment, the company’s first vessel dedicated to marine fuel supply.

In connection with this transaction, the joint venture has entered into a shipbuilding contract with Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering (CIMC SOE) for the construction of the vessel at a contract price of USD 82.8 million, with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2028.

Incorporating the latest technologies, the vessel is designed to enable safe and reliable LNG transfers across a wide range of operating conditions. Advanced emissions reduction systems, combined with highly efficient dual-fuel power generation, are designed to help the vessel meet applicable environmental standards of the global shipping industry.

In addition, the joint venture is expected to enter into a 12-year time charter with a joint venture company formed between CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, commencing upon delivery of the vessel from the shipyard.

Jerry Kalogiratos, CEO of Capital Clean Energy Carriers, commented: “This joint venture marks CCEC’s entry into LNG bunkering — a natural extension of our gas platform from carriage into marine fuel supply.

“Working alongside counterparties of the calibre of CMA CGM and TotalEnergies, we can help build the infrastructure that allows LNG to deliver a cleaner emissions profile, alongside security and diversity of supply, while opening a new, long-term contracted revenue stream for the Company through the Joint Venture.”

Christine Cabau, Executive Vice President Operations and Assets of CMA CGM, said: “Together with Capital Clean Energy Carriers and TotalEnergies, we are committed to building a reliable and high-performance LNG bunkering supply chain, which is essential to ensuring the availability and reliability of fuels such as LNG that represent the first step in the decarbonization of our industry.”

Photo credit: Scott Graham
Published: 16 June, 2026

Alternative Fuels

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: Conventional fuels slump in major ports

HSFO becomes cheaper than B100 in Rotterdam; Singapore’s B100 flips to premium over LSMGO; Rotterdam LBM discounts to LNG widen.

Published

1 day ago

June 16, 2026

Admin

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: Conventional fuels slump in major ports

Once a week, bunker intelligence platform ENGINE will publish a snapshot of alternative and conventional bunker fuel prices in the world’s two biggest bunkering hubs. The following is the latest snapshot:

HSFO becomes cheaper than B100 in Rotterdam
Singapore’s B100 flips to premium over LSMGO
Rotterdam LBM discounts to LNG widen

Brent’s price has slumped by $14.73/bbl ($108/mt) on the week after US President Donald Trump announced a preliminary peace deal with Iran yesterday. The sharp decline has dragged conventional fuel prices lower in both Rotterdam and Singapore.

Rotterdam’s B100 has shifted to a $14/mt premium over HSFO, from a $1/mt discount seen a week ago.

B100 discounts to VLSFO and LSMGO have narrowed by $54/mt and $89/mt to $50/mt and $343/mt, respectively.

In Singapore, B100 has shifted from a $79/mt discount to LSMGO to a $16/mt premium.

ENGINE on Fuel Switch Snapshot: Conventional fuels slump in major ports

Rotterdam’s liquefied biomethane (LBM) discounts to its LSMGO have narrowed by $21-28/mt in the past week, to $639-844/mt, depending on the LNG engine type.

Liquid fuels

Rotterdam’s HSFO (-$71/mt) and VLSFO (-$110/mt) prices have to some extent tracked a $14.73/bbl ($108/mt) drop in front-month ICE Brent futures. Its LSMGO benchmark has fallen by $145/mt, exceeding a $125/mt decline in front-month ICE low sulphur gasoil futures.

The port’s B100 price has dropped by $56/mt over the past week. Dutch ZRE A ticket prices have edged down by €2/mtCO2e to €108/mtCO2e.

Singapore’s conventional fuel prices have fallen by $112-167/mt, and its B100 price by $72/mt.

Liquid gases

Rotterdam’s LNG bunker prices have dropped by $77-83/mt in the past week, largely tracking a 12% decline in the front-month Dutch TTF Natural Gas contract.

Its LBM prices have fallen by $117-124/mt. LBM discounts to LNG have widened by $40-41/mt to $455-462/mt in the past week.

Singapore’s LNG prices have risen by $13-16/mt. The rises came amid spot market demand from India for fertiliser plants, power generation and households, noted ANZ Bank’s Daniel Hynes. Japan and South Korea tend to import more gas for power generation during their summer months, and China has been active in the market, Hynes said.

By Konica Bhatt

Photo credit and source: ENGINE
Published: 16 June, 2026

Bunker Fuel

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales drops by 6.8% on year in May 2026

4.55 million mt of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in May, down from 4.88 million mt recorded during the similar month in 2025, according to MPA data.

Published

2 days ago

June 15, 2026

Admin

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales drops by 6.8% on year in May 2026

Sales of marine fuel at Singapore port dropped by 6.8% on year in May 2026, according to data from the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).

In total, 4.55 million metric tonnes (mt) (exact 4,548,000 mt) of various marine fuel grades were delivered at the world’s largest bunkering port in May, down from 4.88 million mt (4,878,100 mt) recorded during the similar month in 2025.

Deliveries of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May (against on year) recorded respectively 1.79 million mt (-5.3% from 1.89 million mt), 2.29 million mt (-6.5% from 2.45 million mt), zero (-100% from 1,200 mt), 600 (35.2% from 1,700 mt) and zero (from zero).

Singapore: Bunker fuel sales drops by 6.8% on year in May 2026

Bio-blended variants of marine fuel oil, low sulphur fuel oil, ultra low sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil and marine diesel oil in May, (against on year) recorded respectively 11,600 mt (-71.6% from 40,900 mt), 36,400 mt (-62.1% from 96,100 mt), zero (from zero), zero (from zero) and zero (from zero). B100 biofuel bunkers, introduced in February last year, recorded 12,800 mt (+573.7% from 1,900 mt).

LNG and methanol sales were 70,300 mt (+56.2% from 45,000 mt) and zero (from zero) respectively. There were no recorded sales of ammonia for the month and so far since 2025.

Photo credit: Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore
Published: 15 June, 2026