• 01 Feb 2017

Spanish LNG operator Gas Natural Fenosa said it completed its first LNG bunkering operation in the port of Barcelona, supplying the chilled fuel to the Baleària-operated ferry Abel Matutes via road tanker on January 29. This is the first LNG bunkering operation in the port of Barcelona and also first for the ferry that had been retrofitted and is now equipped with an LNG-fuelled Rolls-Royce auxiliary engine and an LNG tank, GNF said in its statement. Once fully operational on its Barcelona-Palma de Mallorca route, the ferry will use natural gas during approach and departure manoeuvres to generate electricity, replacing the heavy fuel oil previously used for this purpose. GNF noted that the use of LNG instead of heavy fuel oil will significantly reduce emissions. The LNG bunkering move is a part of the European project Cleanport, co-financed by the European Union, that aims to overcome legal and technical barriers for the supply of alternative fuels such as LNG in ports and ships.