AD Ports Group (AD Ports) has hosted its first ship-to-ship (STS) liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at its flagship deep-water Khalifa Port.
AD Ports reported that the STS bunkering was part of a simultaneous operation, in which the container vessel MSC Thais, berthed at Abu Dhabi Terminals, received LNG fuel from the dedicated LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge, supplied by marine fuels provider Monjasa.
The operation demonstrated the concurrent transfer of LNG and cargo, whilst facilitating access to lower carbon fuels, which support both the industry and global environmental objectives.
Liquified natural gas offers reduced GHG emissions and significantly less sulphur oxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter emissions compared to traditional marine fuels.
The partners will continue expanding LNG bunkering services across the Group’s commercial ports in Abu Dhabi, including cruise vessels at Zayed Port, while offering a comprehensive fuel portfolio that includes Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Marine Gas Oil (MGO), and High-Sulfur Fuel Oil (HSFO).
The STS operation was executed in accordance with international practices and regulatory standards, including LNG bunkering protocols and guidelines set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the International Association of Ports and Harbors (IAPH), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the Society of International Gas Tanker and Terminal Operators (SIGTTO).
Captain Saif Al Mheiri, CEO of Abu Dhabi Maritime and Chief Sustainability Officer at AD Ports Group, said: “By adhering to the highest safety and environmental standards, AD Ports Group and Monjasa are ensuring that shipowners have reliable access to a diversified fuel mix that supports their decarbonisation objectives.”
Last week, the group announced the signing of a 10-year lease agreement with TW Steel to deliver innovative containerised fabrication solutions, container maintenance and repair services at Khalifa Port.