World's First LNG-Powered Cruise Ships: Shell to Supply Fuel

Posted by Greg Trauthwein October 3, 2016

(Photo: Shell)

Shell Western LNG B.V. (Shell) signed a supply agreement with Carnival Corporation & plc (Carnival) to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to fuel two of the world’s largest passenger cruise ships. Under the agreement, Shell will supply LNG for the world’s first LNG-powered cruise ships due to start sailing in northwest Europe and the Mediterranean in 2019. This will be the first time LNG in dual-fuel engines will be used in the cruise industry to power ships both in port and at sea.

“We have been working closely with Carnival to get to this point in our commercial partnership,” said Lauran Wetemans, Shell’s General Manager Downstream LNG. “Working together from an early stage is critical in helping the transition to cleaner LNG cruising. This is a unique partnership that will contribute to a robust and reliable LNG fuel supply chain, along with opportunities for future growth.”

“We are proud to be on the forefront of advancing LNG as a fuel source for the cruise industry and creating a new model for powering next-generation cruise ships,” said Tom Strang, senior vice president of maritime affairs for Carnival Corporation.

Under the terms of the agreement, one Carnival cruise ship will refuel from Shell’s special LNG bunker vessel that will load at the Gas Access to Europe terminal in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The second ship is expected to refuel at one of the ports in the Western Mediterranean.