Elenger’s optimus LNG bunker vessel up and running

Elenger’s 6,000 cbm-capacity LNG bunker vessel, Optimus, has conducted its first refuelling operation – bunkering Tallink’s shuttle ferry, Megastar.

As previously reported, Elenger took delivery of the vessel, which was built at Damen Shipyards Yichang, last month.

The LNG bunker operation also represented the first refuelling of its kind in Estonia.

‘Ship-to-ship bunkering of LNG has not been done in Estonian ports before, but our team has the relevant experience and thorough training, and everything went smoothly and safely as planned,’ said Kento Tamm, Captain of Optimus.

‘Most of the systems on the ship are duplicated and the risk is minimised, also the LNG fuel itself is among the safest – each year we see more and more LNG bunker ships working in ports and at sea,’ added Tamm.

Tarvink-Carlos Tuulik, Head of Ship Management at Tallink Grupp, added: ‘Optimus significantly simplifies the bunkering of Megastar – much larger amount of LNG can be bunkered from a ship at once, from trailers we used to bunker several times a week, now only once is enough. In addition to the sea, the air will also become cleaner on roads and in ports, as Optimus itself also operates on LNG fuel.’

Tuulik continued: ‘For ship operators, the gas tanker means, above all, security of supply of this more environmentally friendly fuel and ease of use, as well as time savings.’

Source: https://www.bunkerspot.com/