First refuelling during transhipment

The ‘simultaneous bunkering’ procedure allows ships to significantly cut their port call times and was taken by Containerships Nord at the RST terminal at Prins Willem Alexanderhaven in Rotterdam. The LNG was supplied by Shell.

Speaking about the Port of Rotterdam Authority’s efforts to facilitate simultaneous bunkering, COO, Ronald Paul, said: “This is in line with our ambition to promote the energy transition within the shipping sector: from fuel oil to LNG.”

The success of this first bunkering operation has paved the way for a follow-up by Containerships Polar, Nord’s sister ship. From now on, both vessels will be simultaneously bunkering LNG in Rotterdam.

Containerships is a subsidiary of the French company CMA CGM, which is working to promote the energy transition in the container shipping sector. CMA CGM has already ordered 20 LNG-powered ships, which include nine 22,000 teu vessels.