ESL And Nauticor Sign LNG Supply Contract For World’s First LNG Powered Bulk Carriers

The Finnish shipping company ESL Shipping Ltd., part of Aspo Plc., and Hamburg based Nauticor GmbH & Co. KG, a 100% subsidiary of The Linde Group, have signed a long-term contract for the supply of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the port of Oxelösund. The contract contains the provision of the environmental-friendly fuel for the handy size bulk carriers “Haaga” and “Viikki”.

Mikki Koskinen, Managing Director of ESL, stated, „The new vessels combine innovative hull design, the use of LNG as fuel and other energy saving measures, thereby reduce emissions significantly and make shipping even more sustainable. We are glad that we can offer this environmental-friendly mode of transport to our customers with the supply of LNG in the port of Oxelösund being secured by Nauticor.“

The vessels are the first of their kind to use LNG and started operations in the Baltic Sea region in October 2018. They are equipped with ice class 1A and, thereby, can operate under the most difficult weather conditions. Predominantly they will be used for the transport of raw materials between various ports in the Baltic Sea and North Sea.

Image Credits: eslshipping.com

Nauticor’s new 7,500 cbm LNG bunker supply vessel “Kairos” will play a crucial role in the development of the tailor-made supply chain for the two vessels. Furthermore, Nauticor will closely cooperate with its sister company AGA operating the Linde Group’s LNG terminal in Nynäshamn, Sweden.

“Building upon the experience that we have gained in the development of LNG supply chains for maritime customers in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, we are very happy to support a frontrunner like ESL. Their initiative to order two LNG-fuelled bulk carriers is another important milestone for making shipping more sustainable in Northwest Europe”, added Mahinde Abeynaike, CEO of Nauticor.

Reference: Nauticor GmbH & Co.

Source: Maritime Shipping News