June 24th, 2019

Europe’s first inland-waterway liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker vessel has performed her first bunkering operations, with the Containerships Polar and Containerships Nord vessels, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The LNG London (which is owned by LNG Shipping – a cooperation between Victrol and Sogestran) is on long-term charter to Shell. It will primarily be used by Shell for LNG bunkering in the ports of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp.

“The entry into service of LNG London shows our ability and commitment to providing safe and reliable supplies that help meet the growing need for cleaner-burning fuel,” Tahir Faruqui, General Manager, Shell Global Downstream LNG, said. “We are pleased to have three LNG bunker vessels in our fleet and look forward to others joining them in the future.”

Gisèle Buelens, CEO of Victrol, said: “In 2017, Shell selected us to build an inland LNG bunker vessel. As pioneers in bunker vessels, we designed a completely new vessel that complies with the latest safety and operational requirements. We are pleased that she has completed her first operation and that many more LNG bunkering operations will take place in the years ahead.”

Pascal Girardet, CEO of Sogestran, said: “We are very proud of LNG London, the first inland LNG bunkering ship in Europe. The inland capability offers clear logistical benefits for end users, benefits that will help drive the growth of LNG as a cleaner marine fuel.”

LNG London will be loaded with LNG at the Gate terminal in Rotterdam. An innovative transfer system enables delivery of LNG to seagoing vessels, inland barges and terminals onshore, while a restricted air draft allows the barge to sail via inland waterways to Antwerp and Amsterdam, if required.

When compared to traditional marine fuels, natural gas significantly reduces NOx and reduces overall GHG emissions by up to 21%, according to a “well-to-wake” emissions study by Thinkstep. Given the International Maritime Organization’s 0.5% sulphur cap implementation by 2020, there is an increasing interest from the international marine community to consider LNG as a marine fuel.

 

Notes to editors:

• The International Energy Agency estimates that use of natural gas for transportation could grow by as much as 14% between 2016 and 2022.
• According to DNV GL, there were 154 LNG vessels in operation and 146 vessels on order as of April 2019.
• LNG London is 110 metres long and 15 metres wide, with a cargo capacity of 3,000 cubic metres of LNG.
• The LNG is transported in four vacuum tanks covered by a top-deck to protect them.
• The vessel has three thrusters that help to power the ship and ensure it is highly manoeuvrable.

Other news from the group

March 1st, 2024	01.03.24	[Video] Maritime Transport Jobs - Join the companies of th Sogestran Group
February 5th, 2024	05.02.24	Wisamo - Our Contribution to Sailing Industry Research
January 18th, 2024	18.01.24	A new Sogestran Logistics warehouse at the Gennevilliers port
November 28th, 2023	28.11.23	[Video] The maritime activity of the Sogestran Group
October 20th, 2023	20.10.23	An urban river logistics solution right in the heart of Paris
July 11th, 2023	11.07.23	Europe’s largest inland waterway LNG bunker barge, owned by LNG Shipping and chartered by Shell, hits the water
July 3rd, 2023	03.07.23	Publication of the 2022 CSR report
March 14th, 2023	14.03.23	Keel laying of 8000 m3 inland LNG bunker barge owned and operated by LNG Shipping, chartered by Shell
February 2nd, 2023	02.02.23	OCEOS launches its website
December 8th, 2022	08.12.22	Transport of two satellite containers by the MN Colibri
September 13th, 2022	13.09.22	Air Liquide and Sogestran form the joint venture OCEOS for CO2 shipping and barging
September 8th, 2022	08.09.22	Delivery of the POINTE DE CAUX
June 20th, 2022	20.06.22	De Poli becomes NAVQUIM under Sogestran management
April 5th, 2022	05.04.22	Air Liquide and Sogestran partner to develop shipping solutions for carbon management
April 1st, 2022	01.04.22	Launch of the POINTE DE CAUX
July 21st, 2021	21.07.21	Jérémie Mion meets the Sogestran group’s teams
July 15th, 2021	15.07.21	Dubbelman and Sogestran Sign Definitive Acquisition Agreement to Integrate Dubbelman Group in Sogestran Logistics
June 23rd, 2021	23.06.21	Sogestran group welcomes Jérémie Mion on board
November 26th, 2020	26.11.20	Sogestran invests in the chemical tankers business
February 4th, 2020	04.02.20	The Sogestran group and the COMPAGNIE MARITIME NANTAISE - MN associate with NEOLINE.
October 22nd, 2018	22.10.18	The Sogestran Group inaugurates an office in French Guiana
October 4th, 2018	04.10.18	The Sogestran Group in video
July 3rd, 2018	03.07.18	Intermodal transport within the Group is evolving
June 8th, 2018	08.06.18	Nord Ports Shuttle launches a new service
May 3rd, 2018	03.05.18	Official inauguration of the scheduled FlexiLoire river service line
March 6th, 2018	06.03.18	The Pontias under construction
December 8th, 2017	08.12.17	An environmental trophy awarded to CFT for its fluvial fleet
October 17th, 2017	17.10.17	Inauguration ceremony of the Mayoury
September 29th, 2017	29.09.17	Inauguration of the largest French Roll-on / Roll-off ramp
August 8th, 2017	08.08.17	Inland navigation: directly from the ship to the barge
July 26th, 2017	26.07.17	Arianespace package transfer
June 28th, 2017	28.06.17	Acquisition by Sogestran of Compagnie Maritime Nantaise (MN)
June 2nd, 2017	02.06.17	LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) - The Group innovates for the future
April 15th, 2017	15.04.17	Double rotation of transformers, 278 tonnes each
October 20th, 2016	20.10.16	Lapresta’s first loading at the Total refinery in Antwerp