Shell to fuel world’s first LNG-fuelled Aframax crude oil tankers

The four ice-classed, dual-fuel tankers will serve in the Baltic Sea and northern Europe, transporting crude oil and petroleum products. They are scheduled to come into operation at the beginning of 3Q18, and will be some of the first LNG-fuelled vessels with variable and flexible routes.

Maarten Wetselaar, Integrated Gas and New Energies Director at Shell, said: “This is an important next step for gas as part of the energy mix.

“We are proud to work with SCF Group to make these LNG-fuelled Aframax crude oil tankers a reality. This is another marine segment embracing the benefits of LNG fuel, making it clear that LNG will play a key role in helping the shipping industry meet new emissions regulations.”

Sergey Frank, President & CEO of Sovcomflot, added: “SCF Group and Shell have an extensive and successful track record of collaboration and technical innovation, and at the heart of our joint aspirations is the shared desire to play a major role in delivering a cleaner and safer maritime environment. This is why SCF Group and Shell decided to pilot this breakthrough initiative to switch the principal fuel of Aframax tankers, the workhorse of the global tanker industry, to LNG."

As part of the agreement, Shell will refuel the vessels through the use of a specialised LNG bunker vessel, which will load at the Gas Access to Europe (GATE) terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and a second supply point in the Baltics.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/small-scale-lng/04042017/shell-to-fuel-worlds-first-lng-fuelled-aframax-crude-oil-tankers/