First bunker supply for Gibraltar

A total of almost 3200Mt of LNG was transferred to the eight bunker tanks of the 220m long Panamanian Semi Submersible Crane Vessel (SSCV) Sleipnir, owned by Heerema Marine Contractors. The LNG was supplied by the LNG carrier Coral Fraseri, owned by Titan LNG, which said this has been the largest LNG bunker supply in Europe to date.

The LNG bunkering operation was only allowed after key personnel from both vessels met with a team from the Gibraltar Port Authority (GPA).

Niels den Nijs, CEO of Titan LNG, commented: “We thank the Port of Gibraltar for their support and are proud of our STS team and the crew on board the Coral Fraseri. The operation was performed in the sheltered bay helping to make this a safe, efficient and smooth operation.

“We thank Heerema for their trust and cooperation that made this a successful bunkering operation in Gibraltar. We look forward to supplying Heerema with more LNG in the future to fulfil Titan’s mission of lowering harmful emissions from the marine and industrial sector.”

Gibraltar’s Minister with responsibility for the Port and Maritime Affairs, the Hon Minister Gilbert Licudi QC MP, said he hoped that this was the start of more regular LNG bunkering activity within BGTW.

In June, Shell announced it would apply for an LNG bunkering licence at the Port of Gibraltar.

Sleipnir has now left BGTW and is bound for Israel.