TotalEnergies Expands Global LNG Bunkering Footprint
TotalEnergies has entered into a charter agreement with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal for a new Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) bunker vessel with a capacity of 18,600m³. This vessel will bolster the Company’s global LNG bunkering operations, potentially being deployed in Oman, where TotalEnergies is developing the Marsa LNG project to supply LNG to the Gulf’s shipping industry.
The vessel, owned by Ibaizabal, will refuel a variety of ships, including container vessels, tankers, large cruise ships, and ferries, at TotalEnergies’ bunkering hubs. It is designed to meet the highest technical and environmental standards.
LNG is a readily available transition fuel that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the maritime industry by approximately 20%. It also significantly cuts nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by up to 85% and nearly eliminates sulfur oxides (SOx) and fine particulate matter by 99%. These environmental benefits are especially valuable when ships are docked, improving air quality in port cities and coastal communities.
The new vessel, currently being constructed by Hudong–Zhonghua Shipbuilding in China, is expected to be delivered by the end of 2026. It will join TotalEnergies’ existing LNG bunker fleet, which includes the Gas Agility in Rotterdam, the Gas Vitality in Marseille, and the Brassavola in Singapore.
Louise Tricoire, Senior Vice President of Aviation and Marine Fuels at TotalEnergies, said, “We are pleased with this agreement with Ibaizabal, as it strengthens our position as a key player in LNG bunkering. With the rapid increase of LNG-fueled vessels, we are committed to meeting the growing demand for this fuel, helping the shipping industry achieve its decarbonization goals.”
Jorge Zickermann, CEO of Ibaizabal Group, commented, “Ibaizabal is honored to be part of this project, which aligns with our goal of decarbonizing the maritime industry. We are proud to collaborate with TotalEnergies, a leading LNG player, further strengthening our long-term partnership in shipping.”
LNG’s role in shipping's energy transition
As a marine fuel, LNG helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by around 20% compared to traditional marine fuels, with even greater potential when using bio or synthetic LNG. This makes it a sustainable, cost-effective, and immediately available solution for lowering emissions in shipping. TotalEnergies has made significant investments in LNG bunkering infrastructure to support its customers’ transition to LNG as a marine fuel.
TotalEnergies, the third largest LNG player globally
TotalEnergies is the world’s third-largest LNG player, managing a global portfolio of 44 Mt/y in 2023, with interests in liquefaction plants worldwide. The Company has an integrated presence across the LNG value chain, including production, transportation, and regasification, with over 20 Mt/y of regasification capacity in Europe. TotalEnergies aims to increase the share of natural gas in its sales to nearly 50% by 2030, reduce carbon and methane emissions across its gas value chain, and promote the transition from coal to natural gas in collaboration with local partners.