Portsmouth International Port unveils LNG bunkering

Portsmouth International Port has announced the first bunkering

transfer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) at the port.

The Saint-Malo, the first of two new electric-hybrid ships from Brittany

Ferries soon to be entering service from the city, took on LNG fuel from the

Optimus, a bunkering barge operated by Titan Clean Fuels.

Titan was issued a permit to perform LNG bunkering operations at Portsmouth

International Port earlier this month, following a long-term agreement signed

between the Dutch company and Brittany Ferries, for the supply of the cleaner

fuel.

LNG bunkering is now available to all customers sailing into and out of

Portsmouth International Port.

LNG emits significantly lower levels of harmful particulates compared to

usual heavy marine fuel oils, which leads to an improvement in air quality for

residents. LNG also allows for the blending of BioLNG derived from organic waste

at any proportion requested, offering further decarbonisation options to the

shipping industry.

Ben McInnes, Harbour Master at Portsmouth International Port, said: “We’ve

worked hard to make sure we can bring safe and efficient LNG bunkering to our

customers, including visits to other LNG operations in Europe, and employing

independent expert consultants.

“As well as our goals to be carbon net-neutral by 2030 and emissions-free

by 2050, we’re also committed to improving air quality for those who live and

work in Portsmouth, which we can do by providing LNG.

“Later this year we’ll also be offering clean electricity to ships that are

able to plug into our new shore power system, further improving air quality and

reducing emissions for those ships, with the prospect of zero emissions for

hybrid vessels operating within Portsmouth harbour.”

Gregoire Hartig, commercial director at Titan, added: “With Brittany

Ferries, we are extremely happy to support a ferry operator investing in and

acting to reduce its environmental footprint.

“As a pioneer in the delivery of LNG and LBM (Liquid BioMethane) to the

shipping community, Titan strives at making the shipping industry more

sustainable and fit for tightening regulations. A very warm welcome to Brittany

Ferries amongst our customers.”

Last March, the Port Authority of Bilbao and Portsmouth International Port

signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help expand freight and passenger

travel between the ports.