The first ship-to-containership Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunkering operation in Asia was undertaken by CMA CGM and FueLNG at the Port of Singapore.

CMA CGM SCANDOLA has been fuelled with 7,100m3 of LNG from FueLNG Bellina, Singapore’s first LNG bunkering vessel.

Senior Minister of State for Transport and Foreign Affairs, Chee Hong Tat welcomed the milestone and said Singapore is pleased to partner with CMA CGM, FueLNG, Keppel Offshore & Marine and Shell Eastern Petroleum, to provide more sustainable bunkering solutions for the shipping industry.

“The use of more sustainable fuels is an important element of the decarbonisation strategy. As the shipping industry explores alternative zero-carbon fuels, LNG is a viable transitional fuel. As a global bunkering hub. It also marks another major milestone as Asia’s first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation with simultaneous cargo operations,” Chee Hong Tat said.

CMA CGM SCANDOLA is the first of six new 15,000-TEU LNG-powered containerships which CMA CGM Group has lined-up to be bunkered in Singapore this year. These ships will be deployed on CMA CGM’s MEX 1 service between Asia and the Mediterranean.

It is also the first vessel in Asia to conduct simultaneous container loading and discharging operations alongside LNG bunkering operations, shortening port stay time.

From Singapore, the vessel will set sail with over 14,800 (twenty-foot equivalent units) containers, comprising household goods, electronic items, machinery and personal protective equipment for the Mediterranean.

Singapore: A leading LNG bunkering hub in Asia
 

Port of Singapore said in a statement that this ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation by CMA CGM and FueLNG underscores the companies’ commitment to contribute to Singapore’s ambition to become a leading LNG bunkering hub in Asia.

According to Shell’s LNG Outlook report, global LNG bunkering demand is estimated to grow to 30 to 50 million tons per annum (MTPA) by 2040.

Presently there are about 400 LNG-fuelled vessels in operation or on order, with an expected demand of LNG as marine fuel of nearly 3.5 MTPA.

“CMA CGM is committed to the energy transition in the shipping industry. Today, LNG is the most advanced solution when it comes to preserving air quality. This technology is one of the first steps towards achieving CMA CGM Group’s ambitious 2050 objective of carbon neutrality,” said Stephane Courquin, CEO of CMA CGM Asia Pacific.

She noted that CMA CGM SCANDOLA is also the first of more CMA CGM-operated LNG vessels that will undergo simultaneous cargo and LNG bunkering operations in Singapore.

The Group’s fleet of LNG containerships will grow to 32 by the end of 2022.

Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA, said the use of LNG as a marine fuel is fast gaining traction worldwide and as the world’s top bunkering and transhipment hub port, MPA is pleased that we are able to facilitate Asia’s very first ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operation with simultaneous cargo operations. 

“We will continue to work with the industry to promote LNG bunkering in Singapore and drive the transition to more sustainable shipping,” she said.