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The first bunker delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been performed at the Spanish port of Bilbao.

The dry cargo vessel MV Ireland was supplied with LNG on 28th March during a truck-to-ship bunkering operation that lasted five hours and was carried out by Molgas Energia - the first company authorized in the Port of Bilbao to carry out the commercial, shoreside supply of LNG to ships.

Two tank loads were used to supply LNG to the dedicated cement carrier. Product was sourced from the Bahia de Bizkaia Gas (BBG) regasification plant on the day before the LNG bunker delivery took place.

The 110-metre-long, LNG-powered Ireland was launched at Ferus Smit's Westerbroak shipyard in March 2016.

The Ireland and sister vessel MV Greenland, which was delivered in December 2015, are operated by JT Cement, a joint venture between Erik Thun AB and KG Jebsen Cement of Norway.

Both vessels are equipped with a Wartsila dual-fuel main engine and a pressurized LNG tank enabling round trips of around two weeks.

Bunker Index previously reported that another port in northern Spain, Gijon, confirmed its decision to approve plans for the provision of LNG at the port's El Musel LNG terminal.

Also, the project to convert the double-hull Monte Arucas into Spain's first LNG supply vessel is expected to be completed by December 2017, after which, the barge is set to be used to carry out deliveries in Bilbao and the Cantabrian Sea.

The conversion of the Monte Arucas forms part of a Basque region project that also includes adapting the BBG dock and regasification plant, and the design and construction of an LNG-powered tug.