Supermajor Total has signed a pioneering agreement to charter its first two LNG powered very large crude carriers (VLCCs)
The two vessels, which are able to carry about 300,000 tonnes of crude oil each, will be delivered in 2022 and will join the time-chartered fleet of Total. These VLCCs will be chartered to Malaysian shipowner AET.
The vessels have been designed with LNG propulsion to benefit from reduced greenhouse gas emissions and with the latest technologies to further lower their consumption.
“LNG is the best and immediately available solution to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping,” highlighted Luc Gillet, senior vice-president shipping at Total.
“The use of LNG to fuel our chartered vessels is the illustration of our determination to reduce the carbon footprint of our activities. With this decision, we reaffirm today our positive contribution to a sustainable shipping industry and our commitment to extend the use of LNG as a clean marine fuel,” he added.
The supply of LNG for these two LNG-powered VLCCs will be provided by Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions, Total’s dedicated business unit in charge of worldwide bunkering activities.
Total stated that LNG is now the best available and technologically proven solution to significantly reduce the environmental footprint of maritime transport. Compared to ships currently powered by fuel oil, its use results in a reduction of:
-99 per cent of sulphur oxide emissions;
-99 per cent of fine particles emissions;
-Up to 85 per cent of nitrogen oxide emissions;
-About 20 per cent of greenhouse gases emissions.
