Wed 18 Sep 2013, 05:50 GMT

Shell and DMC sign LNG MoU


LNG fuel for marine transportation to be a primary focus of the partnership.



Maritime zone Dubai Maritime City (DMC), has announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with leading international energy services provider Shell to explore the diverse business options related to promoting alternative sources of energy such as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

In a statement, DMC said the primary focus of the partnership would be on exploring opportunities that would enable the adoption of LNG as a fuel in markets including marine transportation, road transportation, power and industries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the wider Middle East, North Africa and South Asia (MENASA) region.

The team from Shell including Roger Bounds, Global Head of Shell, LNG and Mounir Bouaziz, Vice President Commercial & New Business Development were met by His Excellency Khamis Juma Buamim, Chairman Drydocks World (DDW) & Maritime World. They discussed the possibility of future business opportunities as well as the ongoing cooperation between the two parties including the building of the world’s largest Turret Mooring system for the floating LNG facility at DDW’s Dubai facility.

"We are privileged to have reached this understanding with Shell in an area of mutual and topical interest of developing sustainable and environment friendly sources of energy in the maritime sector. This is part of our Dubai Maritime Green Initiative, which seeks to develop and propagate viable and environment-friendly alternatives especially in the field of renewable energy and alternative fuels for improved fuel efficiency," said Khamis Juma Buamim.

"The first step of such cooperation is to form a Joint Working Committee on the terms and conditions set out in the MoU to discuss and agree on detailed work plans to mature the business opportunity with a view to concluding a Joint Development Agreement," DMC said.

"DMC and its affiliates are global leaders in providing infrastructure and services to the maritime and energy (oil & gas) sectors. Shell Exploration Company B.V. and its affiliates are global leaders in the LNG industry and are developing and operating downstream LNG businesses across the globe," DMC added.

The Dubai Maritime Green Initiative is a strategic movement to encourage all-round environmental excellence in maritime and allied sectors including oil, gas and energy. The main aim of the initiative is to encourage companies engaged in research and development on green design to develop green solutions for efficiency improvement in the maritime industry including areas related to shipyard concepts, demolition and waste management, project financing, equipment manufacturers & suppliers, classification societies & regulators, shipbuilding and offshore fabricators and integrated solution providers.


RINA employee on board vessel. RINA unveils Mermaid propulsion concept to navigate uncertain decarbonisation landscape  

Fuel-agnostic design claims savings of more than 1,000 tonnes per year in some applications.

Adinkerke and Aalter naming ceremony. Exmar names third and fourth dual-fuel ammonia-powered vessels  

Midsize gas carriers Adinkerke and Aalter named at formal ceremony.

Professor Lynn Loo, GCMD. GCMD outlines practical approach to quantity assurance in marine biofuel supply chains  

New report addresses verification of both total fuel volume and renewable content in biofuel transactions.

Steel-cutting ceremony of London Express class vessel. Hapag-Lloyd cuts steel for first vessel of new London Express class  

16,800-TEU LNG dual-fuel vessel is first of 12 newbuildings in the class.

Vessels at sea. DNV report warns regulatory uncertainty complicates fleet investment decisions  

CEO urges greater clarity to provide the confidence needed for long-term investment.

Blue Whale NxtGen Energy battery system. Corvus Energy launches LFP battery system developed with BYD Energy Storage  

Blue Whale NxtGen Power targets tugs, ferries and workboats with high power demand.

Welcome ceremony of Yampu vessel. World’s first battery-powered self-unloading bulk carrier enters service in Australia  

MV Yampu connects South Australia’s limestone trade with a battery-electric propulsion system.

Skipanes vessel. E-methanol-ready ro-ro vessel delivered to Smyril Line  

190-metre vessel is built for year-round North Atlantic operations and designed for future e-methanol conversion.

Belgium flag. Sunoil Biodiesel secures approval to supply biofuels in Belgium  

Dutch biofuel supplier expands its European footprint with Belgian market entry.

Tacoma Maersk naming ceremony. Maersk takes delivery of dual-fuel methanol-capable Tacoma Maersk in China  

9,000-TEU vessel is one of six mid-sized dual-fuel ships joining Maersk's fleet.