Dutch ferry firm Rederij Doeksen has signed a liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker supply agreement with Titan LNG, which supplies and transports LNG to marine markets.
Both the companies have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of LNG as a shipping fuel to the newbuild ferries, Willem de Vlamingh and Willem Barentsz.
The vessels will be bunkered by trucks on a weekly basis. Both ferries will operate on the ferry route to the Dutch islands of Vlieland and Terschelling.
As both vessels will only use LNG as fuel, the ferry service can be provided in a much more environmentally friendly way, reducing harmful emissions in the UNESCO heritage area the Waddenzee.
“After an intensive period of preparations to get the two new ferries into service, we have found in Titan LNG the best partner to supply LNG for our vessels,” explains Richard de Vries, Head of Operations at Rederij Doeksen. “Based on a shared philosophy that LNG is a good transition fuel for a greener shipping industry, we look forward to jointly prepare the first bunkerings in Harlingen.”
“We are very pleased to have signed a long-term cooperation with Doeksen,” says Ronald van Selm, COO of Titan LNG. “There is a good match between the companies and we are proud to be involved in this pioneering project. We feel certain that Doeksen’s passengers will appreciate the efforts that have been put into this project to reduce the environmental impact of the ferries.”
The vessels were built in Vietnam and are currently on their way to Harlingen for final outfitting and commissioning. It is expected that the first crossings with the vessels will take place later this year.
Once per week the vessels will be bunkered at the Rederij Doeksen location in Harlingen with three trucks in an efficient way ensuring minimal downtime.
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