Titan Clean Fuels (Titan) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) have successfully completed the inaugural LNG and liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) bunkering operation under a new multi-delivery contract designed for MOL’s vehicle carrier fleet. This milestone event took place on Sunday, March 16, as the Titan vessel Alice Cosulich delivered 500 tons of bio-LNG and 400 tons of conventional LNG to the Celeste Ace vehicle carrier. The operation occurred simultaneously at the Port of Zeebrugge’s International Car Operators (ICO) terminal.
The bio-LNG supplied by Titan is ISCC-EU-certified and represents the beginning of an ongoing partnership aimed at delivering bio-LNG to the Japanese shipping company. Produced from waste and residue, this bio-LNG can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 100% compared to traditional marine diesel on a well-to-wake basis. Moreover, LNG, bio-LNG, and renewable hydrogen-derived e-methane can be blended efficiently and integrated into existing LNG bunkering infrastructures with minimal modifications. Nicolas Ganas, Senior Trader and Business Development Manager at Titan, emphasized the significance of MOL’s commitment to using LNG and bio-LNG as marine fuels.
He highlighted that this partnership is pivotal in promoting cleaner shipping practices and supports Titan’s goal of providing lower-carbon fuel solutions reliably. Caspar Gooren, Commercial Director of Renewable Fuels at Titan, further reinforced the growing impact of bio-LNG on decarbonizing global shipping. He noted that with the increasing availability and commercial viability of bio-LNG, it offers practical solutions for shipowners. The collaboration with MOL marks a transformative moment in the shift towards clean fuels in the maritime sector.
Yoshikazu Urushitani of MOL also shared insights into the company’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes exploring ammonia and hydrogen fuels while increasing the use of LNG-powered vessels. He affirmed MOL’s commitment to adopting cleaner fuels to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The ongoing transition in shipping’s fuel mix underscores the growing importance of LNG and its derivatives in driving industry decarbonization.