TFG Marine welcomes LNG dual-fueled bunker tanker

TFG Marine, an international marine fuel joint venture founded by Trafigura, Frontline and Golden Ocean, has christened the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) duel-fueled bunker tanker to join its fleet.

The 5,000 dwt newbuild vessel, the MT Diligence, will join the company’s low sulphur fuel oil and biofuel supply operations in the major bunkering center of Singapore.

Built and operated for TFG by CBS Ventures, the MT Diligence has been designed to TFG’s technical specifications, including stringent safety considerations, so that it can be powered by LNG as well as conventional low sulphur bunker fuels.

The MT Diligence has been fitted with a Mass Flow Meter (MFMs), as required by the MPA. TFG has long been an advocate of the global adoption of calibrated MFMs to bring much-needed transparency to bunkering.

A recent whitepaper sponsored by TFG and other key stakeholders recognises the success of Singapore’s MFM-based bunker licensing system and proposes this as a template for regulators in other regions across the world, promoting transparency and encouraging digitalization in the long-term interests of the bunker industry and helping to further the decarbonization goals of the shipping industry.

In related news, Italian maritime transportation group Fratelli Cosulich recently ordered its first methanol dual-fueled chemical bunker tanker with a capacity of over 8,000 cubic meters and the ability to carry both green methanol and biofuels. Slated for delivery in 2025, the vessel will be deployed to deliver marine fuels for TFG Marine.