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Port of Barcelona set sights on becoming LNG bunkering hub in Mediterranean

Barcelona is consolidating itself as an LNG bunkering hub in the Mediterranean; Port of Barcelona also hopes to become a bunkering hub for new zero-carbon bunker fuels.

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PierNext, a digital knowledge hub spearheaded by Port of Barcelona, on Thursday (23 February) published an article on LNG as a transition fuel and Barcelona consolidating itself as an LNG bunkering hub in the Mediterranean. The following is an excerpt from its article titled ‘LNG: a fuel for energy transition’:

LNG, KEY TO THE DECARBONISATION PLAN

"When the policy of introducing LNG at the Port of Barcelona began in 2014, there were practically no ships powered by this fuel. Nor were there any specific supply logistics and the numerous reluctances to use it made its implementation practically impossible," explains Jordi Vila, head of the Environment at the Barcelona Port Authority.

Today, however, the situation is completely different. "Since 2017, LNG bunkering operations have been carried out from tanker trucks, in the truck-to-ship mode, and since 2019, in the ship-to-ship mode, always safely and without any accidents," says Vila.

Vila also adds that the introduction of LNG in the port of Barcelona has helped to break the pre-established patterns and inertia acquired over decades of using traditional fuels. Thanks to the implementation of pilot projects, such as Cleanport or Core LNGas hive, the necessary risk analyses have been carried out for the safe supply of the fuel. Furthermore, the development of the logistical supply chain has been facilitated.

"The port community, shipowners and the Port Authority itself were able to experience that the fuel was technically viable and safe, facilitating its subsequent penetration as a fuel for LNG-powered ships and opening up the future introduction of other fuels of equal or greater complexity from the safety point of view, such as hydrogen or ammonia," explains the head of the Environment.

LNG IN NUMBERS

In 2021, LNG bunkering operations at the Port of Barcelona accounted for almost 11% of total bunkering operations. In 2022, however, the figures reduced. "It has been complicated by the global rise in LNG prices, aggravated by the war in Ukraine. This has meant that LNG carriers, having dual engines, reduced their LNG usage," explains Daniel Ruiz, Environment technician at the Port of Barcelona.

In total, 26,400 cubic metres of LNG were supplied in 32 operations, compared to 65,000 cubic metres and 236 operations in 2021 (a year in which the effects of the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic were still there). "It is estimated that, when prices normalise and regulatory measures penalising the use of diesel start to be applied, LNG use will return to levels higher than those of 2021," concludes Vila.

In addition, LNG use is expected to increase as more ships are built using LNG. In turn, more vessels will use it when the logistics chain is implemented in other shipping routes. "Currently the average life of a ship is around 25 to 30 years, so in order to order a ship with a new fuel, the shipowner must be sure that the fuel will be available on all its routes, throughout this time and at a reasonable price," says Vila.

"Although LNG is a fossil fuel, it is the only technologically mature fuel that can reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions which has a logistics chain in place in many ports. This allows shipowners to be sure about its supply," he explains.

A BUNKERING HUB IN THE MEDITERRANEAN、

Since the beginning of 2023, the Haugesund Knutsen has been permanently based at the Port of Barcelona. This is the first LNG bunkering vessel to be built in Spain and the first to be permanently based in a Spanish port.

Until now, vessels supplying LNG to other ships in the Port of Barcelona were not based there, but had to make long journeys - sometimes from Gibraltar, the Canary Islands or the Netherlands - to reach their destination. The Haugesund Knutsen, however, will be based in the Mediterranean port, which will facilitate and reduce the costs of these operations.

The vessel itself has been designed for agile and flexible deliveries. "It has bunker stations on both sides, as well as amidships and at the stern of the vessel, which allows it to supply port and starboard to different types of receiving vessels and to operate in a wide range of terminals for loading LNG," explains Daniel Ruiz.

"It has two bi-lobe C-type tanks with a total capacity of 5,000 cubic metres of LNG and has been designed with a low overhead draft, which allows it to dock with cruise ships below the lifeboat line. This avoids the use of a breakaway pontoon between the supply vessel and the receiver, saving costs and operating time," he adds.

The vessel, owned by Knutsen and Enagás subsidiary Scale Gas, was built as part of the LNGHive 2 Barcelona project. According to the Port of Barcelona's environmental managers, participation in this project has led to improvements in the drafting of a new set of specific specifications for the supply of LNG as a port service, which will be published in a few months and which has enabled the existing supply regulations to be improved.

"This and other advances will help to consolidate the port of Barcelona as an LNG bunkering hub in the Mediterranean. Furthermore, our wish is that in the future it will also be consolidated as a bunkering hub for the new zero-carbon fuels," says Ruiz.

Note: The full article ‘LNG: a fuel for energy transition’ can be found here.

 

Photo credit: Port of Barcelona
Published: 28 February, 2023

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Biofuel

GoodFuels ceases bio bunker fuel deliveries in Singapore after near three-year run

‘Whilst the GoodFuels team will continue its efforts to decarbonise global shipping from the Amsterdam office, we will be stopping all biofuel deliveries in Singapore with immediate effect,’ says Jing Xieng Han.

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Biofuel supplier GoodFuels, FincoEnergies’ sustainable fuels brand, has stopped all biofuel deliveries in Singapore with immediate effect, according to Jing Xieng Han, General Manager of GoodFuels Asia Pacific, on Wednesday (6 November). 

GoodFuels first announced the opening of its first office in Singapore in February 2022. The Singapore office was GoodFuels’ second office and its first outside of Europe. 

At the time, GoodFuels said Singapore was chosen as the target for its first international expansion because of its importance to the global shipping industry and its leading position as a key bunkering hub, with mature bunkering infrastructure that will support the delivery of marine biofuel.

Jing said FincoEnergies has decided to consolidate GoodFuels operations in the Asia Pacific and ARA regions. 

“Whilst the GoodFuels team will continue its efforts to decarbonise global shipping from the Amsterdam office, we will be stopping all biofuel deliveries in Singapore with immediate effect,” she said in a social media post. 

“Our Amsterdam team remains dedicated to furthering the decarbonization of global shipping 'the Good Way' and I wish them continued success.”

Jing also announced that she will be departing GoodFuels Asia Pacific, effective 6 November as well. 

“It has been a privilege to contribute to the integration of biofuels into the bunkering sector in Singapore over the past three years,” she said.

“The rapid evolution of the industry has been mind-blowing, and I fondly recall addressing numerous queries on the technical feasibilities of biofuels as bunker fuels when I first launched our Singapore office in early 2022.”

Related: GoodFuels opens first Singapore office to meet growing biofuel demand

 

Photo credit: GoodFuels
Published: 7 November, 2024

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Biofuel

Chimbusco Pan Nation completes first B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Singapore

CPN supplied 1,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-EU Certified B24 marine biofuel for “YM WITNESS”, a containership of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp on 16 October.

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Chimbusco Pan Nation completes first B24 bio bunker fuel delivery in Singapore

Hong Kong-based marine fuel oil supplier Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical (CPN) on Wednesday (6 November) completed the supply of 1,000 metric tonnes of ISCC-EU Certified B24 marine biofuel for YM WITNESS, a containership of Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp on 16 October. 

“This also embarks on CPN’s new journey to arrange supplying marine biofuel in Singapore,” the firm said in a social media post. 

B24 marine biofuel is a blend of 24% B100 biodiesel and Marine Fuel Oil, which significantly reduces carbon emissions and lowers its carbon footprint. Such product aligns with global efforts to combat climate change and reduces environmental impact. 

“CPN is committed to be the frontrunner in the transition towards more sustainable marine fuel options. This biofuel delivery reinforces CPN’s commitment to realizing eco-friendly port energy solutions and global decarbonisation goals,” it added. 

 

Photo credit: Chimbusco Pan Nation Petro-Chemical
Published: 7 November, 2024

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LNG Bunkering

Titan completes LNG bunkering operation in Port of Zeebrugge

Titan supplied newly built PCTC “Peony Leader” using bunkering vessel “Optimus”, marking the PCTC’s maiden LNG bunkering operation.

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Titan completes LNG bunkering operation in Port of Zeebrugge

LNG bunker fuel supplier Titan on Wednesday (6 November) said it has completed a LNG bunkering operation in the Port of Zeebrugge. 

Titan supplied the newly built Peony Leader Pure Car and Truck Carrier (PCTC) using Optimus – one of its LNG bunkering vessels (LBV).

“This was the maiden voyage for the Peony Leader, as well as the first time it bunkered LNG while in service. The Optimus’ crew closely supported throughout the process, providing guidance and information to the seafarers onboard the vehicle carrier,” it said in a social media post. 

“Our commercial team also visited CSP Zeebrugge to meet the new client, Chimbusco. With a greatly increasing number of PCTC newbuilds being LNG dual-fuelled, we look forward to many more successful LNG bunkering operations with Chimbusco and other shipowners in this segment.”

 

Photo credit: Titan
Published: 7 November, 2024

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