Amsterdam Completes First SIMOPS LNG Bunkering
Dutch LNG supplier Titan LNG's bunker barge FlexFueler001 has supplied LNG to Ramelia, oil and chemicals tanker owned by Sweden's Alvtank, while the ship was unloading cargo at the Oiltanking Terminal in Amsterdam.
It is the first time a simultaneous operation (SIMOPS) has taken place with LNG bunkering in the Port of Amsterdam, allowing the Ramelia to unload cargo whilst receiving LNG bunkers.
"This important step, in which Oiltanking Amsterdam and Furetank Chartering joined, enables the receiving vessel to have a quicker turnaround in the port as it does not have to shift to a designated LNG bunkering location, such as the Titan LNG facility," said a press release.
Daan van Rooijen, Manager Operations at Oiltanking Amsterdam said: “Oiltanking is proud to facilitate the bunkering of LNG at our facility. The delivery was executed safely and efficiently by the professional staff of Titan and Furetank. The LNG bunkering did not cause any additional restrictions or delays on our ability to discharge the tanker Ramelia”.
The Ramelia, owned by company Älvtank from Sweden is the latest addition to the LNG powered product tankers in the pool of the Gothia Tankers Alliance.
Johan Kristensson from Furetank Chartering said: “This first SIMOPS in Amsterdam is a real enabler for LNG as a marine fuel. Being able to bunker whilst working in a port not only saves turnaround time and money, it also has positive effects on the local environment since the emission involved in shifting operation is eliminated and it reduces working hours for the crew when we can avoid shifting. We hope that more terminals will follow shortly as it is clear that LNG bunkering is possible and allowed by the ports and the terminals”.
Titan LNG will continue to engage with various other terminals throughout the ARA region to ensure more SIMOPS can be realized and would like to thank all stakeholders for carrying out this operation.