CMA CGM and Shell undertake first bio-LNG bunkering operation in Rotterdam

The CMA CGM Group and Shell have carried out their first bio-LNG bunkering trial in Rotterdam.

The 1,400 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) Containerships Aurora was bunkered by Shell with an almost 10% blend of low carbon bio-LNG while calling at the European bunker hub.

The vessel received around 483 cubic metres (cbm) of LNG, 44 cbm of which were bio-LNG.

The Containerships Aurora was bunkered by the LNG London LNG bunker barge at the Rotterdam Short Sea Terminals (RST) with cargo operations being carried out simultaneously.

CMA CGM claims Shell’s bio-LNG offering, combined with the dual-fuel gas engine technology developed by the French shipping company, has the potential to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions (including carbon dioxide) by at least 67 % well-to-wake (the complete value chain) compared to very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO).

‘Shell believes LNG is the first integral step to decarbonise the shipping sector,’ commented Tahir Faruqui, General Manager, Shell Global Downstream LNG. ‘LNG offers immediate emissions reduction and has the potential to become a net zero emission marine fuel given the possible roles of Bio-LNG and synthetic LNG. We look forward to assessing how the supply chain might be scaled to enable LNG to become a viable carbon neutral marine fuel.’

Farid Trad, Vice President of the CMA CGM Group, Energy transition and Bunkering, added: ‘CMA CGM believes LNG is one of the first steps towards achieving our target to achieve net zero carbon by 2050. LNG-powered vessels enable to reach, as of today, step 2 of this process which is the use of Bio-LNG.

‘The Group is heavily investing in research and development alongside its industrial partners to identify the energy sources of the future with the aim of achieving total decarbonation and help have a positive impact on our customers’ carbon footprint and helping to protect the environment.’

CMA CGM currently has 20 dual-fuel vessels in service. By the end of 2024, this number will have risen to 44.

Additionally, CMA CGM noted it had supported the production of 25,000 tonnes of biomethane in 2021. As previously reported, in April, the company launched a biomethane fuel option in April and announced it would be investing in biomethane production facilities.

Source: Bunkerspot