With first bunkering operation under the belt, Monjasa pioneers LNG as marine fuel in UAE

Following the charter of its first dedicated LNG bunker vessel for the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) market, marine fuels supplier Monjasa has now completed the region’s first LNG bunkering operation.

The milestone operation took place on January 4, 2025, at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal B where Monjasa-operated Green Zeebrugge delivered LNG to Costa Smeralda, the 2020-built cruise ship owned by Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation.

During the operation, around 3,000 cubic meters (cbm) of LNG were delivered to the cruise ship.

To remind, Monjasa revealed the charter of the 5,000 cbm LNG bunker vessel Green Zeebrugge on December 18, 2024, for operations in the UAE. The vessel reached Dubai waters on December 26 and it was inspected by the authorities in Port Rashid.

Following the inspection, the official bunkering permits were issued to Monjasa by the Dubai Maritime Authority & Dubai Ports Authority.

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard, said: “We are excited about this first successful supply operation and to pioneer LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE. However, reaching this milestone was only possible through the close collaboration of our forward-thinking partners at Carnival and Costa Cruises, ADNOC L&S and the UAE’s federal and local authorities, who are constantly embracing maritime innovation. Together, we are all striving to position the UAE as a leading shipping hub in alternative fuels too.”

At the same time, the company has also revealed the agreement with ADNOC Logistics and Services (ADNOC L&S) regarding the charter of an LNG carrier for a period of nine months as a floating storage unit (FSU).

Under the agreement, Monjasa will welcome the 74,240 dwt Shandong Juniper scheduled to join its fleet by mid-January 2025.

By serving as FSU and performing cargo operations, the Singapore-flagged Shandong Juniper is expected to become “a key component in tying together Monjasa’s new operations”.