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World’s first’ LNG tugboat re-fuelled in Zeebrugge
Claimed as the world’s first LNG-fuelled Tugboat, the M/T Borgoy was recently refuelled in the Belgian coastal Port of Zeebrugge.
The M/T Borgoy docked for fuel at the Port of Zeebrugge whilst on-route to start a long-term operational contract for Statoil.
The Tugboat will be based in Kartso.
By making the switch to LNG the tugboat now emits nearly 30 percent less CO2 and up to 90 percent less NOx and fine dust than that of a typical marine diesel oil powered ship.
The re-fuelling took place via a tanker truck-to-ship (TTS) bunkering operation.
Constructed in the Sanmar shipyard in Turkey, M/T Borgoy is the first of two LNG fuelled tugs ordered by the Norwegian BUBE (Bukser og Berging AS), with sister ship Bokn joining later in the year.
Joachim Coens, CEO Port of Zeebrugge commented: “This bunkering operation is of the greatest importance to the port of Zeebrugge.”
“Firstly, we can be proud that BUBE has chosen Zeebrugge to perform this operation.”
“Secondly, it is a confirmation of the time and effort we’ve invested in becoming a first mover in LNG bunkering.”
“We've started up several projects with different parties which are all in very different stages of development. To see this project performed successfully is very gratifying.”
With the energy service undergoing massive changes to cope with ecological and financial concerns, Zeebruge aim to play a lead role in the evolution of LNG fuelling for ships.
The port has had a loading station capable of TTS bunkering in operation for several years. They plan on building a second to cope with the increased load of LNG fuelled vessels.
With the LNG terminal located in Zeebrugge’s outer port, the Zeepipe, an 814- kilometre long pipeline from Norway, and the interconnector, a bi-directional pipeline between Bacton and Zeebrugge, the coastal port has grown into a gas crossroads that covers up to 15 percent of the North Western European market.
