News
TotalEnergies Marine Fuels
Photo credits: Chris Schotanus
Rotterdam, 18 September 2020 – The world’s largest LNG bunker vessel has been officially named at a ceremony held today in Rotterdam. The 18,600-m³ GTT Mark III Flex membrane vessel has been named “Gas Agility”.
First LNG bunker vessel owned by Emerald Green Maritime Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), she is chartered by Total’s affiliate Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS).
Photo credits: Chris Schotanus
In February 2018, TMFGS and MOL signed the Time Charter Party for this epoch-making LNG bunkering vessel*. Construction started in China in November 2018 at Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding’s yard. Delivered in April 2020, the “Gas Agility” meets the highest technical and environmental standards, using LNG herself as propulsion fuel, and integrating a complete re-liquefaction of the boil-off gas.
“We are delighted to have officially named ‘Gas Agility’ as she embarks on a new chapter in delivering cleaner marine fuels. Her arrival in Rotterdam marks the culmination of 3 years of dedicated work with MOL and Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in Shanghai, to plan, build and create a major development in global marine LNG fuel supply,” said Jérôme Leprince-Ringuet, Managing Director of Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions. “ ‘Gas Agility’ is a clear demonstration of our ongoing drive to develop key logistical LNG infrastructures in the main bunkering hubs around the world, helping the shipping industry make the move to a more sustainable fuel solution,” he added.
With her pioneering design and innovative equipment, the “Gas Agility” is an industry premiere made possible by a strong collaboration between the shipyard, the owner, the charterer and many partners, including Bureau Veritas and GTT.
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all the people who have been involved in the project. I am very confident that our endeavour will be the great milestone and the turning point in this rapidly changing world. The transition from heavy fuel oil to LNG is competitive, environmentally efficient and an immediately available solution for maritime transportation. By providing the capacity to deliver LNG as a marine fuel, this partnership will be the leader in transition to a more fuel-efficient industry,” said Takeshi Hashimoto, Executive Vice President of MOL.
In December 2019, TMFGS and MOL signed a long-term charter contract for a second large LNG bunker vessel, to be delivered in 2021**. She will be positioned in the Marseille-Fos area in France to supply LNG as a marine fuel within the Mediterranean area.
LNG as a marine fuel
LNG as a marine fuel has gained positive momentum as the global shipping industry looks to adapt to stricter emissions standards.
Used as a marine fuel, LNG helps to cut:
● Sulfur emissions by 99%,
● Fine particle emissions by 99%,
● Nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 85%,
● Greenhouse gases emissions by around 20%.LNG represents an available and competitive solution that contributes to the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) long-term strategy of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from ships. Traction in developing LNG bunkering infrastructure has consequently expanded with several leading ports and LNG bunker suppliers alike having established key initiatives and made significant progress in support of these developments.
For more details, please refer to the previous press releases
* February 6, 2018: Total and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines sign a long-term charter contract for a pioneer Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunker vessel
** December4, 2019: Clean Marine Fuels: Total and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Charter the 1st LNG Bunker Vessel to Operate in France
About Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions
Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions is Total’s dedicated business unit in charge of worldwide bunkering activities. Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions is the single point of contact for a full spectrum of solutions with innovative and efficient bunkering services. www.marinefuels.total.com.
About Total
Total is a broad energy group that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.
About Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), as a multi-modal transport group, meets the needs of the era in a wide variety of fields including dry bulkers such as iron ore carriers, coal carriers, and woodchip carriers, crude oil tankers, LNG carriers and offshore business, methanol carrier, chemical tankers, product tankers, car carriers, ferries, RORO ships, and logistics. MOL’s activities are truly borderless, based on the operation of one of the world’s largest merchant fleets, backed by expertise and technology developed throughout our over 130-year history. MOL supports the growth of the world economy with the entire globe as our stage, while continually evolving into an excellent and resilient corporate group.
Total contacts
Jason Knights, Director, Knights MPR on behalf of TMFGS:
+44 (0)78 51 86 60 07 – [email protected]
Total SE Media Relations: +33 1 47 44 46 99 – [email protected] – Twitter: @TotalPress
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd contacts
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. Media Relations Team, Corporate Communication Division
Telephone: +81 (3) 3587 7015 l Facsimile: +81 (3) 3587 7705
E-mail: [email protected]
Cautionary note
This press release, from which no legal consequences may be drawn, is for information purposes only. The entities in which TOTAL S E directly or indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. TOTAL S E has no liability for their acts or omissions. In this document, the terms “Total”, “Total Group” and Group are sometimes used for convenience. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” may also be used to refer to subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them.
This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TOTAL S E nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.