SABIC Contracts Two New LNG-Powered Tankships

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) says it is the world's first chemical company to commission LNG-run gas carriers.

SABIC's new tankships will be powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG) to transport its olefins products, in anticipation of a European Union directive to drastically reduce sulphur emissions from vessels operating in the North Sea by 2015.

The two new gas carriers will be used to transport olefins from a major plant on Teesside, England, to ports in North-West Europe and Scandinavia.

“SABIC feels a strong sense of responsibility towards sustainability and the environment,” says Michel Wintraecken, SABIC Manager Sourcing & Contracting, Supply Chain Chemicals Europe. “This is why we have contracted Dutch company Anthony Veder for the use of two new LNG-powered gas carriers. We signed the basic agreement for the ships in April, construction has already started, and we will take delivery of them in 2014.”

Anthony Veder owns and operates a modern, high quality fleet of gas tankers for the transportation of petrochemical, liquefied petroleum and natural gasses, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. “In recent years, we have built up a good deal of experience with LNG-powered ships,” says Jan Valkier, CEO of Anthony Veder. “Our fleet is being continuously modernized, renewed and adjusted to comply with regulations, customer requirements and the high standards upheld by the gas industry. We are very pleased to be working together with a company like SABIC in a proactive stance towards the sustainability of commercial shipping.”