A new collaboration project of ExxonMobil, Eagle LNG Partners and Crowley will support growth for LNG as a marine fuel in North America. The aim is to develop a transport and bunkering infrastructure.
The three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 27th June. Th[ds_preview]e parties will initially focus their efforts in Florida before expanding to other North American market, it was said in a statement.
ExxonMobil will provide its technical support and expertise to help the parties carry out safe bunkering operations and sell LNG bunker fuel to vessel operators. Eagle LNG Partners will supply the LNG and will design, build and operate small-scale production and storage facilities as well as coordinate land-based LNG transportation. Crowley will provide bunker logistics and ensure safe and reliable operations.
»This agreement provides additional opportunities for vessel operators looking to adopt LNG as a marine fuel.« Luca Volta, LNG Venture Manager at ExxonMobil
The cooperation agreement comes with an eye to the future of international marine emissions regulation. The decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to introduce a global 0.50 % sulphur cap on vessel emissions in 2020 will impact bunker fuel selection. The parties believe that the marine industry is heading for a multi-fuel future that will include low-sulphur options, with LNG an important part of that mix.
Crowley Maritime, a shipping logistics company based in Jacksonville, Florida, operates a fleet of about 300 ships – RoRo, LoLo, ATBs, barges and tugs. In line with the company’s »EcoStewardship« stragtegy Crowley has decided to adopt LNG as a technology of the future. Crowley is already pushing the use of LNG as a marine fuel by commissioning new vessels in the Jones Act market with gas propulsion. To ensure a fuel supply for its fleet, the company had already partnered with Eagle LNG on establishing own bunker facilities and has come up with LNG bunkering barge concepts.
