Monjasa gearing up to introduce LNG bunkering operations in UAE

Marine fuels supplier Monjasa has chartered its first dedicated LNG bunker vessel which is expected to be deployed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in January 2025.

As disclosed, Monjasa chartered Green Zeebrugge, NYK’s 2017-built LNG bunker vessel with a 5,000 cubic meter capacity, in Amsterdam in November 2024 as it prepares to introduce LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE.

The vessel is now on its way to UAE with an estimated arrival in Dubai before the New Year when it will undergo safety and quality inspections by the local authorities.

Green Zeebbruge is expected to supply Monjasa’s first-ever LNG in January 2025.

The company also said it was working with port authorities, energy companies, and shipowners to finalize the development of adequate LNG bunkering infrastructure and establish a viable local LNG bunkering option.

Through this collaboration, Monjasa expects to offer a comprehensive fuel mix, including very low sulphur fuel oil (VLSFO), marine gas oil (MGO), high-sulphur fuel oil (HSFO), biofuels and LNG at UAE ports.  

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard, commented on the move: “Monjasa’s role is to keep challenging the status quo and providing new market opportunities to shipowners who are increasingly looking for ways to decarbonise their vessels.

“Deploying the Green Zeebrugge is the first important step in introducing LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE. Looking ahead, continued close collaboration with our local maritime partners is crucial in further exploring new supply chains and positioning the UAE as a leading shipping hub in alternative fuels too.”

The company started its maritime operations in the Middle East in 2005 and became the first marine fuels supplier to deliver biofuels in the UAE in 2022.  

Monjasa’s venture into the LNG bunkering market comes at a time when the number of LNG-fueled vessels is skyrocketing, creating an increased demand for this alternative fuel.

Recent data from DNV shows that there are now 1,262 LNG-fueled vessels of which 613 are trading with a further 649 on order – compared to 62 LNG-fueled vessels in 2015.

LNG dual-fuel vessels were also found to provide ‘the lowest’ compliance cost for meeting EU and IMO decarbonization regulations, according to an analysis by industry coalition SEA-LNG.

SEA-LNG recently highlighted that over 2,000 of the world’s 60,000 largest vessels will be powered by LNG in the near future. According to the coalition, active LNG-fueled vessels now represent over 2% of the global shipping fleet. When factoring in vessels on order, this figure rises to 4% by number and 6% by deadweight tonnage.