First LNG bunkering for PIL in Shanghai

The 14,000 teu Kota Eagle is the first LNG dual-fuel vessel to join the fleet of the Singapore-headquartered container line.

The container ship received around 8,000 cu metres of LNG from the bunker vessel Hai Gang Wei Lai with fuel from Shanghai SIPG Energy Service (SSES).

As it moves into operating LNG dual-fuelled tonnage for the first time PIL said, “LNG as a marine fuel is a pragmatic option enabling the shipping industry to achieve tangible and immediate reduction in carbon emissions”.

The use of LNG faces opposition from environmentalists is a still a fossil fuel, however, it does offer a potential pathway to zero emissions through e-methane. There has been a resurgence in LNG dual fuelled vessels orders this year by container ship owners and operators as concerns grow about the availability of green methanol.

Chia Yuijn, Head of Sustainability, Decarbonisation and Marine Fuels, PIL said, "The completion of PIL's first LNG bunkering operation, together with our continued investments in a newbuilding programme focused exclusively on greener dual-fuel vessels, demonstrate PIL's commitment to sustainable shipping.

“We believe the expedient transition to cleaner fuels is achieved through collaboration between various stakeholders in the value chain.  We would like to thank our suppliers, SSES, and SIPG port group for the close coordination which contributed to the safe and efficient operation."

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After the bunkering in Yangshan the Kota Eagle will sail to Ningbo and then depart for Latin America on PIL’s West Coast Central and South America Service 2 route.

^{Photo Credit: PIL}

The Kota Eagle along with the Kota Emerald are the first LNG-powered vessels to join PIL’s fleet and were named recently at Jiangnan Shipyard in China.

PIL has a total of 11 more LNG dual-fuelled newbuildings on order including an additional pair of 14,000 teu vessels, four 8,000 teu, and five 13,000 teu.

Earlier this year PIL inked a Memorandum of Understanding with CCS Wuhan Rules And Research Institute to further decarbonisation.