Big LNG capacity in Spain

Hutchison Ports’ BEST terminal at the Port of Barcelona has welcomed the first LNG-powered vessel from CMA CGM. This is also the first container ship using LNG to arrive at the Port of Barcelona.

“Today, maritime transport is relatively the most efficient and sustainable mode of freight transport,” said Hutchison Ports BEST’s CEO, Guillermo Belcastro. “Shipping lines are already investing heavily in minimising the impact from an environmental point of view and, at BEST, we are aligned with the same objective and ready to receive such ships.”

BEST sustainability drive

CMA CGM Scandola belongs to the MEX 1 service, which links Asia to the Mediterranean. The vessel is 366m long, 51m wide and has a capacity of 14,800 TEUs. It was built in 2020, in response to the new IMO requirements for energy transition in the maritime industry.

BEST terminal is working together with the Port Authority of Barcelona on several initiatives that will improve the sustainability of the terminal, such as a shore power project. As such, BEST will be the first container terminal in Spain to have an electrified quayside. Vessels at berth will be able to connect to electric power while loading and unloading containers at the terminal, reducing the carbon footprint in the Port of Barcelona.