The first LNG bunkering operation to be carried out in Gibraltar recently took place when the Shell chartered LNG bunker vessel Coral Methane supplied LNG to Lomosov Prospect, an Aframax tanker operated by Sovcomflot.
The Minister for the Port, Hon Vijay Daryanani MP, commented on the occassion:
This further sets down a marker that the Port of Gibraltar is at the forefront of the drive for greater sustainability and improved environmental performance of the maritime industry internationally, and highlights the key strengths of the port, namely our adaptability and responsiveness to the wider trends developing within the industry
This is the first of many supplies Gibraltar expects of this cleaner fuel.
In addition, Tahir Faruqui, General Manager, Shell Global Downstream LNG, believes that the start-up of this location means the fueling requirements of tankers which operate on less predictable routes are increasingly being met.
I would like to congratulate the Gibraltar Government and Port Authority for their vision to enable LNG bunkering and look forward to many more operations as we continue to demonstrate our ability and commitment to providing safe operations and reliable supplies to meet the growing need of the shipping industry for cleaner-burning fuels
