UECC vessels to sail on biomethane supplied by Titan for rest of 2024 and most of 2025, representing largest ongoing LBM commitment in shipping

United European Car Carriers (UECC) and Titan Clean Fuels (Titan) have signed a new agreement that will see the vast majority of Liquified Gas supplied by Titan to UECC’s multi-fuel ships to have them run on biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG) for the remainder of 2024 and then most of 2025.

This deal expands upon UECC and Titan’s established commitment to use LBM. Since the 1^st of July 2024, over 95% of the fuel delivered to UECC’s pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) by Titan has been LBM; resulting in avoidance more than 30,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases emitted.

According to Titan’s analysis, the quantity of LBM in 2025, which Titan and UECC are realistically targeting, will avoid more than 75,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases being emitted. That reduction is equivalent to the annual emissions of around 10,000 EU citizens or 540 million kilometers driven in an average car. Using LBM over oil-based fuels also virtually eliminates harmful local emissions Black Soot and other Particular Matters (PM), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Sulphur Oxides (SOx).

This transition to biomethane amplifies the success of UECC’s ‘Sail for Change’ sustainability strategy, as it will exceed its carbon intensity targets, which use the same metric as the industry’s forthcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation. In fact, the use of LBM will offer UECC overcompliance with FuelEU Maritime across its overall fleet, and so it is actively exploring pooling and banking options.

Daniel Gent, Energy & Sustainability Manager at UECC, commented: “Through our CO2 registry, this agreement offers our customers the opportunity to significantly reduce their scope three emissions, and we appreciate those that have already jumped at the offer. Toyota Motor Europe, Ford of Europe and two other major European vehicle manufacturer quickly signed up to Green Gas Month in July 2024, and following its success every month will now essentially be Green Gas Month!

“The engagement in Sail for Change from our customers, alongside Titan’s in-depth expertise in clean fuel supply and bunkering, have allowed us to almost entirely transition from LNG to LBM, and to swiftly scale up our use of biomethane. With this expansion, we look forward to hearing from more customers who want to reduce their scope three emissions and use sustainable shipping services today.”

Caspar Gooren, Commercial Director Renewable Fuels, said: “As frontrunners with a strong and clear renewable fuels strategy, UECC has been pivotal to propelling the uptake of LBM, and we are excited to be supporting them as they sail towards a sustainable future. This agreement highlights that, just like LNG before it, LBM is quickly becoming a standardized product and gaining popularity as it is recognized as future fuel.

“The LBM delivery scale and consistency we’re able to achieve is, in part, thanks to robust mass balancing processes and related liquefaction LNG terminal infrastructure in the region. It’s now time for the whole of Europe and the world to follow suit. Looking ahead, both Titan and UECC are aligned on the need to geographically expand biomethane supply and diversify waste feedstocks to ensure certified LBM is accessible to those in shipping that want and need it.”

This announcement follows news that UECC has invested in two new multi-fuel car carriers to be delivered in 2028, with the option to add two more. This move, combined with the latest biomethane agreement with Titan, has built a strong foundation for UECC’s long-term commitment to the LNG pathway and transition to biomethane.