MUSCAT: Marking another key step in the planned development of the Marsa LNG project at Sohar Port in the Sultanate of Oman, global integrated energy group TotalEnergies has signed a charter contract with Spanish shipowner Ibaizabal Group for a new LNG bunker vessel that will eventually be deployed at the Marsa LNG terminal.
Construction work on the 1 million tonnes per annum capacity LNG terminal is expected to get underway before the end of this year. Powered by a 300MW solar farm, the $1.6 billion project will pioneer the introduction of low-emission LNG as bunker fuel for maritime shipping in the Gulf. Total investment in the Marsa LNG project, owned 80 per cent by TotalEnergies, is estimated at $1.6 billion.
Announcing the signing of the charter contract in a post, Sergio Giorgi, TotalEnergies Country Chair Oman, who is also CEO & Chairman – Marsa LNG, commented: “This vessel will expand our global presence in bunkering hubs and will be deployed in Oman for the Marsa LNG project, the lowest emissions LNG plant ever built, showing commitment to our future clients!”
The 18,600 cbm LNG bunkering vessel is currently being built at China’s Hudong-Zhonghua shipyard. The owner is Ibaizabal, the Spanish-based provider of integrated ship management services to the international shipping and offshore industries. Upon its delivery in late 2026, the vessel will be chartered to TotalEnergies for deployment at Marsa LNG.
According to Georgi, the new LNG vessel will join TotalEnergies’ current fleet of three deployed LNG bunker vessels: the Gas Agility, which has been positioned in the Port of Rotterdam, the Gas Vitality, operated in the Port of Marseille and the Brassavola located in the Port of Singapore.
“LNG is a game-changer for the shipping sector, reducing GHG emissions by 20 per cent and significantly improving air quality,” he added.
Louise Tricoire, TotalEnergies Senior Vice President, Aviation and Marine Fuels, stated: “We are very proud of this agreement with Ibaizabal, which reinforces our position as a main player in LNG bunkering. With new LNG-fuelled vessels coming on stream at a rapid pace, we are committed to playing our part in responding to the sector’s increasing demand for this fuel which can help global shipping meet its decarbonization ambitions.”
Jorge Zickermann, CEO Ibaizabal Group, added: “Ibaizabal is honoured to be chosen to carry out this Project as it falls within our strategy of decarbonizing the maritime industry, together with a leading company in the LNG field, while enhancing the already long-term relationship in shipping with TotalEnergies.”
French engineering and technology firm Technip Energies has been awarded the contract to build the Marsa LNG train on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) basis. When operational in 2028, the terminal will supply low-carbon LNG to a wide range of vessels, notably containerships, tankers, large cruise ships and ferries.
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