Record-Breaking LNG Bunkering for Sleipnir in Rotterdam

March 29, 2020 | Maritime | Energy Facts Staff Writer | 3min

Heerema’s Sleipnir, the world’s most powerful semi-submersible crane vessel, received the largest LNG bunkering ever completed. Titan LNG performed the bunkering, using the Coral Fraseri, Anthony Veder’s LNG carrier in the Port of Rotterdam. A collaboration of four Dutch innovative companies who have united to make history for sustainability in The Netherlands.

The Sleipnir arrived at the Port of Rotterdam on Sunday, March 22nd. The vessel came home for the first time following a successful global campaign. The vessel has a wide range of sustainability measures. It’s fully outfitted with LED-lighting, has a hot/cold energy recovery system and is able to run on LNG. The use of LNG considerably reduces harmful local emissions and emits less CO2 than other commonly used fuels.

The total quantity of LNG delivered was almost 3,300 metric tons, making this the largest LNG bunkering to have ever taken place. The delivery took less then twenty-four hours to complete.

Heerema’s CEO, Koos-Jan van Brouwershaven, emphasized that ‘Heerema is proud to have received the world’s largest LNG bunkering. We are especially pleased that this achievement could take place in our home base of the Port of Rotterdam. The use of LNG on Sleipnir is one of many sustainability measures we have introduced, and we will continue to investigate ways to reduce our impact on the planet.’

Niels den Nijs, CEO of Titan LNG, commented that LNG bunkering was becoming a routine operation for the Dutch companies involved because of the excellent cooperation between all parties: ‘Building on our 5 previous deliveries around the globe, we formulated and safely executed our plan of operation. As Titan LNG, we are proud of this operation in one of our home ports. It was extra special that we could also supply our bunkerbarge, the FlexFueler 001, with cargo from the LNG carrier. The Sleipnir demonstrates that it is financially advantageous to sail on LNG, even in remote parts of the world. We are proud to contribute to making the world a little greener by supplying LNG as fuel anywhere’

Jan Valkier, CEO of Anthony Veder says: ‘By investing in dedicated LNG vessels since 2009, we have made an essential contribution to the availability of LNG for the power generation and LNG as a marine fuel. We are therefore proud of this Dutch cooperation in our home port Rotterdam, where we helped to carry out the largest LNG bunker operation with Coral Fraseri. An important step for Rotterdam as an LNG bunkering hub.’

‘It is the Port’s ambition to be the ‘greenest port in the world.’ Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, noted that ‘never before has a vessel bunkered as much LNG fuel as Sleipnir. I am proud that the vessel bunkered in Port of Rotterdam because that plays tribute to Rotterdam being the ideal LNG hub for import, export, storage, and bunkering.’

It is essential to note that all companies involved followed the strict government guidelines to protect their workforces during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.