Oil major Shell has struck an agreement to supply the world’s first LNG-powered cruise ships due to start sailing in northwest Europe in 2019.
The move will be the first time LNG in dual-fuel engines will be used in the cruise industry to power ships both in port and at sea.
LNG is being used as a new alternative fuel for vessel and ship operators who are responding to sulphur and nitrogen oxide emissions regulations in Emission Control Areas (ECAs), and beyond.
Lauran Wetemans, Shell’s general manager Downstream LNG, said: “We have been working closely with Carnival to get to this point in our commercial partnership. Working together from an early stage is critical in helping the transition to cleaner LNG cruising. This is a unique partnership that will contribute to a robust and reliable LNG fuel supply chain, along with opportunities for future growth.”
“We are committed to reducing our air emissions and improving air quality through various means, including LNG,” said Tom Strang, senior vice president of maritime affairs for Carnival Corporation. “We are proud to be on the forefront of advancing LNG as a fuel source for the cruise industry and creating a new model for powering next-generation cruise ships.”
Under the terms of the agreement, one Carnival cruise ship will refuel from Shell’s special LNG bunker vessel that will load at the Gas Access to Europe terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The second ship is expected to refuel at one of the ports in the Western Mediterranean.
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