TotalEnergies launches LNG bunkering service in France

TotalEnergies on Tuesday launched Port of Marseille’s first ship-to-containership LNG bunkering operation called Gas Vitality, a 135-metre long GTT Mark III membrane vessel, the energy giant said in a statement.

According to TotalEnergies, the vessel incorporates a range of features, including an increased loading and bunkering rate by 25 percent to a maximum of 2000m3 /hr, through upgraded cargo pumps.

“New pressure reduction system to optimise bunkering operations of ‘Type C’ tank vessels under all conditions. And Azimuth propellers and two bow thrusters, delivering an extremely high degree of manoeuvrability enabling tug-free operations in port and further reducing the environmental impact of her operations,” TotalEnergies said.

The vessel has two manifolds for ship-to-ship bunkering flexibility.  It is also equipped to offer Electronic Bunker Delivery Notes (e-BDN) and an onboard re-liquefaction of the boil-off gas.

The company said that the 18,600-m³ newbuild bunker vessel is TotalEnergies Marine Fuels’ second collaboration with shipowner Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd (MOL) and shipbuilder, Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.

The companies began collaboration in 2018 to design and build Gas Agility, which they said has been operating in the Port of Rotterdam since November 2020.