Nowy statek bunkrujący LNG Somtrans dołączy do floty w przyszłym roku
Najważniejsze informacje
- •Somtrans zwodował w Chinach statek bunkrujący LNG o pojemności 20 000 m³, którego wejście do floty planowane jest na styczeń 2027 roku.
- •Nowa jednostka zwiększy możliwości Somtrans w zakresie dostaw paliwa LNG do statków w portach Europy Północno-Zachodniej.
- •To druga inwestycja Somtrans w jednostkę bunkrującą LNG w krótkim czasie, po dostawie kolejnej barki wcześniej w tym roku.
- •Rosnący popyt na bunkrowanie LNG jest wspierany przez regulacje, w tym FuelEU Maritime w 2025 roku oraz rozszerzenie EU Emissions Trading System na żeglugę morską od 2024 roku.
- •Według danych DNV globalna flota bunkrująca LNG obejmuje obecnie 91 jednostek operacyjnych, a do 2029 roku ma dołączyć kolejnych 51.
Antwerp-based maritime logistics firm Somtrans has launched its newest liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel at China's Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering shipyard, the company announced in a LinkedIn post on Saturday.
The 20,000 m³ vessel is scheduled to join Somtrans' fleet in January 2027, expanding the company's capacity to supply LNG bunker fuel to ships across Northwest European ports.
"From the first plans to seeing the barge enter the water, this project has involved years of expertise, teamwork and dedication from many people," Somtrans said in its announcement.
The launch marks Somtrans' second LNG bunkering vessel investment within a short timeframe. Earlier this year, the company took delivery of another LNG bunker barge designated for supply operations at Belgian and Dutch ports, as previously reported.
The Northwest European bunkering market, anchored by major hubs such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg, has seen growing demand for LNG supply infrastructure as shipowners face tightening regulatory pressure, including the EU's FuelEU Maritime regulation taking effect in 2025 and the extension of the EU Emissions Trading System to maritime shipping from 2024.
LNG has emerged as a key transition fuel in the maritime industry's decarbonization efforts, offering significant reductions in sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter compared to conventional marine fuels. The International Maritime Organization's revised greenhouse gas strategy, which targets net-zero emissions from international shipping by or around 2050, has further incentivized owners to adopt LNG-fuelled vessels. As more such ships enter the global fleet, demand for LNG bunkering services is expected to increase substantially.
According to data from classification society DNV, the global LNG bunkering fleet currently comprises 91 operational ships, with an additional 51 vessels expected to enter service by 2029.
Nantong CIMC Sinopacific Offshore & Engineering, located in Jiangsu Province, China, is a specialized shipbuilder known for constructing offshore engineering vessels, gas carriers, and bunkering barges for international clients.