World’s largest LNG bunkering operation completed in Rotterdam

The CMA CGM Jacques Saadé, the world’s largest containership powered by LNG, recently completed her first LNG bunkering with Total’s LNG bunker vessel, the Gas Agility, at the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. The 23,000 TEU1* containership received around 17,300 cm of LNG, making it the largest LNG bunkering operation ever to take place.

The bunkering operation was performed at the Rotterdam World Gateway terminal by means of a ship-to-ship transfer, while the CMA CGM Jacques Saadé carried out cargo operations simultaneously. The LNG was provided by Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions. Refuelling took approximately 24 hours to complete.

As part of this milestone operation, the carbon footprint of the LNG delivered was further reduced with the introduction of biomethane for approximately 13% of the quantity delivered, through the Guarantee of Origin (GO) certificates mechanism, reports Total. The biomethane was produced in the Schipol area in the Netherlands, mainly from organic municipal waste.

Both Total and CMA CGM are promoting the use of LNG as a marine fuel, as the best, immediately available solution in terms of energy transition to help reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport. They report that LNG eliminates almost all the air pollutants generated by the combustion of fossil fuels, cutting emissions of both sulphur oxide emissions and fine particles by 99%, and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85%.

An LNG-powered vessel is also claimed to emit up to 20% less CO₂ than conventional fuel-powered systems. The development of bio and synthetic LNG** will further drive forward LNG as a viable pathway to support the International Maritime Organisation’s strategy on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from international shipping.

*20-ft equivalent unit – unit used to measure a container ship’s cargo carrying capacity.
**Synthetic LNG is LNG derived from the synthesis of CO₂ and hydrogen. It is considered a zero emission fuel when produced from renewable hydrogen and recycled CO_2.

Photo: Rogier Bos/CMA CGM/Total