Spanish energy company Repsol has collaborated with Enagás and the Port of Cartagena Authority in Colombia to carry out the first pipe-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation in Europe.
Repsol supplied LNG fuel directly from Enagás’ regasification plant in Cartagena as part of the arrangement.
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The operation lasted for approximately five hours and was conducted using flexible cryogenic transfer hoses that connect the ship directly to the terminal.
The ship used for the operation is known as Damia Desgagnés, and the vessel received a total of 370m³ of LNG during the procedure.
It was the largest operation of its kind to be carried out in Spain to date, as well as being the largest ever undertaken by Repsol.
The Canada-flagged vessel was built in Turkey and features a length of 135m and a breadth of 35m.
Damia Desgagnés features a double hull and can operate on any of the following fuels: heavy fuel oil, marine diesel oil and LNG.
Enagás notes that the latest procedure was conducted within the parameters of CORE LNGas hive project, which was co-funded by the European Commission, coordinated by Enagá, and spearheaded by the Spanish Ports Authority.
The CORE LNGas hive initiative comprises 42 partner entities, and seeks to promote the use of LNG in transportation, particularly in maritime transport.
It also intends to develop a safe, efficient and integrated logistics and supply chain to supply LNG fuel to the transport industry, with particular focus on marine transport within the Iberian Peninsula.
Furthermore, the project aims to enable the Port of Cartagena to adopt one of the Enagás regasification plant jetties to facilitate new small-scale and bunkering services to vessels.
A sum of approximately €2.73m has currently been earmarked for the CORE LNGas hive project, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Image: Enagás' regasification plant in Cartagena, Colombia. Photo: courtesy of Enagás S.A.
