Total charters LNG-powered VLCC newbuilds from AET

In a first for Total it has inked a charter agreement with AET for two dual-fuel LNG powered newbuildings to be delivered in Q1 2022.

“LNG is the best and immediately available solution to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping,” said Luc Gillet, senior vice president shipping at Total. “The use of LNG to fuel our chartered vessels is the illustration of our determination to reduce the carbon footprint of our activities. With this decision, we reaffirm today our positive contribution to a sustainable shipping industry and our commitment to extend the use of LNG as a clean marine fuel.”

The fuel for the two VLCCs will be supplied by Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions.

Malaysian shipowner AET is one of the forerunners in ordering large vessels powered by LNG.

Yee Yang Chien, chairman of AET and president/group ceo of MISC, said: “Today’s agreement with Total takes us a step further in delivering on that agenda. As a group, we took early and bold decisions to invest in LNG dual-fuel vessels and I am pleased to see the industry responding so positively to our strategy. I am delighted we have made this agreement with Total and I’d like to thank them for their confidence in AET.”

AET currently operates two LNG dual-fuel Aframax vessels and two LNG dual-fuel Dynamic Positioning Shuttle Tankers.

Related:AET names first LNG dual-fuelled aframaxes