The Port of Marseille Fos, Shell and Carnival carried out the first “ship-to- ship” LNG bunkering operation in France on the Costa Smeralda.

One of the world’s first LNG-powered cruise ships, the COSTA SMERALDA, operated by COSTA of the Carnival Group and berthed in the Port of Marseille Fos, required an LNG delivery. SHELL, under contract with Carnival, is supplying the LNG through one of their bunker vessels. This vessel was used for the first LNG bunkering operation in France, which was completed on Monday, 4 May 2020, at around 5:00 pm.

In a manoeuvre carried out with great precision and smoothness the CORAL METHANE positioned itself in line with the COSTA SMERALDA’s bunker station. Once the ship was made fast, the transfer of the loading hose by the ship’s crane could begin, followed by the installation of various equipment to allow LNG to be transferred in complete safety. Refuelling continued overnight and the CORAL METHANE departed on 05 May at 04:00. This operation was carried out in perfect coordination between the ship services of the Port of Marseille Fos (lookout, piloting, towing, mooring), the crew of the COSTA SMERALDA, the SHELL teams and the crew of the CORAL METHANE operated by the Dutch ship- owner ANTHONY VEDER, and with the reassuring presence of the nautical resources of the Marseille fire-fighters who are closely monitoring this development in liaison with the teams of the Harbour Master’s Office at the Port of Marseille Fos.

“We are all proud to have been able to complete this operation smoothly and safely.
It has required studies, instructions and procedures to be agreed with the various players, and in line with European and global standards. This is a first in France and proves to what extent, even during the current health crisis, we are capable of supporting the development of LNG, which is one of the measures deployed by the Port of Marseille Fos to reduce its environmental impact,” says Amaury de Maupeou, the Marseille Fos Port Authority Commander.

“We’re pleased that even in these challenging times for the industry, Shell is able to play a small role in helping to ensure continuity of LNG supply to our customers. We’re glad that we have been able to work efficiently with the Port of Marseille and Carnival,” Tahir Faruqui, General Manager, Shell Global Downstream LNG, said. “Carnival are one of a growing number of organisations adopting LNG – the most affordable alternative to traditional marine fuels available today”.

“We are happy that our new LNG powered flagship Costa Smeralda was part of this new milestone for the Port of Marseille in partnership with Shell” said Franco Porcellacchia, Sustainable Innovation and Infrastructure Development Vice President Costa Group “Carnival and Costa specifically have been the first cruise operator to invest in sustainable innovation with LNG and continue to be committed to ensuring the highest environmental standards for a more sustainable future of cruising”