Hapag-Lloyd’s converted containership wraps up LNG bunkering op

Hapag-Lloyd’s converted containership Brussels Express has recently completed its first LNG bunkering operation in the Dutch port of Rotterdam as part of the vessel’s maiden voyage from China.

SHANGHAI : During the bunkering operation held last week, the world’s first containership LNG retrofit received liquefied natural gas from Shell’s 6,500-cbm Cardissa in the Caland Canal in the port of Rotterdam.

The 15,000 TEU Brussels Express, previously known as Sajir, arrived in Rotterdam from China,

Hapag-Lloyd put back the vessel in service on its Europe-Far East trade on April 1.

The vessel now features a GTT 6,700-cbm LNG fuel tank and MAN dual-fuel propulsion. It will primarily sail on LNG with low-sulphur fuel oil as a backup.

“The vessel sailed on both LNG and during adjustment and repairs on regular low-sulphur fuel oil,” a Hapag-Lloyd spokeswoman told LNG Prime in emailed comments on Tuesday.

Commenting on the bunkering operation in Rotterdam, the spokeswoman said it was “rather a trial.”

“First commercial LNG bunkering will be on its second round voyage in Singapore,” she said.

Total costs for the containership conversion to LNG power reached about $35 million, according to Hapag-Lloyd.

This pilot project will help Hapag-Lloyd to decide on future LNG conversions but also paves the way for other owners looking to slash emissions and comply with more stringent IMO rules.

Besides this conversion, Hapag-Lloyd revealed in December

an order for six ultra-large LNG-powered container vessels at South Korea’s Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering.

The order for the 23,500+ TEU ships has a price tag of about $1 billion.

Source : LNG Prime