Construction of the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering vessel at a Spanish shipyard has progressed with the laying of the keel. This event, which took place yesterday, is a key milestone in the ship's construction. The project is coordinated by Enagás, which, through its subsidiary specializing in small-scale LNG, Scale Gas, and Knutsen OAS Shipping AS, is carrying out the ship's construction. The Port of Barcelona is also supporting the project.
The initiative falls within the European Union's transport aid program and is part of the
institutional strategy 'LNGhive2', led by Puertos del Estado, with the aim of supporting the development of the LNG market as a sustainable maritime fuel, in line with European Directive 94/2014 on alternative fuels.
The vessel will be operated by Knutsen OAS Shipping AS, will use Enagás' LNG terminal in Barcelona for loading and supplying LNG to ships, and will be chartered by Shell España SA.
The ship is being built at the Armon shipyards in Gijón and once operational, the ship will use Enagás' LNG terminal in the Port of Barcelona for loading and subsequent supply of LNG to ships docking at the port or making stops to refuel before continuing their route.
In addition to promoting more sustainable maritime transport and improving air quality in the city of Barcelona, this project will represent a further step in consolidating Spain's position as a European leader in LNG bunkering. The ship will have a storage capacity of 5,000 cubic meters of LNG and will be powered by LNG.
LNG minimizes polluting emissions, eliminating 100% of sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions, reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by 80-90%, and CO2 emissions by 20-30%. According to the certification body DNV/GL, there are 170 LNG-powered vessels operating worldwide, 222 on order, and 126 designated as LNG-ready. This new vessel will join the 15 barges already supplying LNG globally, six of which are operating in Spain, and will strengthen the country's role in supplying LNG to ships.
