Total and CMA CGM enter LNG bunker agreement for Marseille-Fos ops

French conglomerates Total and CMA CGM on Wednesday (4 December) signed an agreement for the supply of approximately 270,000 metric tonnes (mt) per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker fuel for over 10 years.

This volume will cover the supply at Marseille-Fos of CMA CGM’s future 15,000-TEU container ships that will operate between Asia and the Mediterranean, that are scheduled for delivery starting in 2021.

As part of this agreement, Total will provide a suitable solution for the bunkering of these containerships with the positioning of a LNG Bunker Vessel at the port of Marseille-Fos and a complementary bunkering solution in Singapore.

These new supply chains will further expand the use of LNG as a marine fuel, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea.

CMA CGM and Total confirm their commitment to France, particularly in favour of the Marseille-Fos business hub where they are both key economic players.

“The development of Liquefied Natural Gas as a marine fuel is at the heart of our LNG strategy,” said Patrick Pouyanne, CEO of Total.

“This new contract with CMA CGM results in the launch of a dedicated supply chain in the port of Marseille-Fos. Total is committed to working with its customers to offer them more environmentally friendly marine fuels and thus contributes positively to the sustainable evolution of maritime transport, particularly in the Mediterranean basin."

Meanwhile, Total Marine Fuels Global Solutions (TMFGS) and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL) have signed a long-term charter contract for a second large LNG bunker vessel, to be delivered in 2021. She will be positioned in the Marseille-Fos area in France.

This bunker vessel will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China. She will have a capacity of 18,600 m³ for a length of about 135 meters and will be fitted with the Mark III membrane containment system provided by French company GTT.

This vessel has been specifically designed to supply LNG bunker in the Mediterranean area to a wide range of vessels, including containerships, tankers, ferries and large cruise ships. She will meet the highest technical and environmental standards, using herself LNG as propulsion fuel and integrating a complete re-liquefaction of the boil-off gas.

The newbuild vessel will be operated under French flag by MOL, jointly with Gazocean, a pioneering company based in Marseille and one of the most experienced in LNG transportation.

“We are proud to launch with MOL the first large LNG bunkering vessel in France,” stated Jerome Leprince-Ringuet, Managing Director of TMFGS.

“LNG is the best available alternative to reduce shipping environmental footprint, as it significantly improves air quality and strongly contributes to greenhouse gases reduction.

“With this agreement we reaffirm today our positive contribution to a sustainable shipping industry and our commitment to offer our customers a comprehensive network of supply for this clean marine fuel.”

Related: CMA CGM chooses Marseille-Fos port as future LNG bunkering location

Photo credit: Total
Published: 5 December, 2019