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Rotterdam's first LNG fuel delivery to a seagoing vessel is being carried out today (9th August).

The newly built product tanker Ternsund arrived on Sunday for the first time in Rotterdam to unload naphtha and gas oil at Vopak's terminal facility in the Botlek. On Monday afternoon, the ship was moved to ECT's former home terminal at Willem Alexanderhaven, which is where the bunkering operation is taking place.

First, the temperature of the fuel tank was cooled down from ambient temperature to operating temperature; with the aid of nitrogen, the temperature was reduced from +20 degrees centigrade to -162 degrees centigrade in eighteen hours. Then, the actual supply of LNG bunker fuel by truck, carried out by Shell LNG, commenced.

The bunkering operation is due to be completed on Wednesday morning. The vessel will then continue on to Gothenburg.

"The Port of Rotterdam Authority strives to turn the port into a major European LNG hub and promotes the transition from fuel oil to the much cleaner LNG as fuel for shipping. By using LNG, inland vessels, coasters, ferries and heavy transport reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions up to 20 percent and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions up to 85 percent. Sulphur and particulate matter emissions are reduced to practically zero. This is an important reason for the Port of Rotterdam Authority to encourage the use of LNG," the Dutch port said in a statement.

As a result of the bunkering procedure, the Ternsund, which is owned by shipping company Terntank, has received Rotterdam's first 'LNG bunkering incentive' - a 10 percent discount on the port dues.

Next year, a new LNG bunker supply vessel is due to arrive at Rotterdam, which will enable Shell to also refuel seagoing vessels with LNG from the water.

Image: The product tanker Ternsund at the port of Rotterdam. On 9th August 2016, it was the first seagoing vessel to refuel with LNG at the port.