Posted on September 28, 2021
DW note: The vessel Clean Jacksonville was built by Conrad
The first bunkering of a ship in the United States using a blend of renewable liquefied natural gas and regular LNG has been completed in Jacksonville, Florida.
The operation took place at JAX LNG, a small-scale LNG facility located along the St. John’s River and involved TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s LNG-powered container ship Isla Bella.
JAX LNG loaded Isla Bella with a blend of LNG and renewable LNG bunker fuel using the bunker barge Clean Jacksonville.
Produced from the decomposition of organic waste, renewable natural gas (RNG) is compatible with existing natural gas infrastructure and provides greater emissions reductions compared to traditional LNG, which already reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25% over ultra-low sulfur diesel. RNG is essentially biogas that has been processed to purity standards and, like conventional natural gas, RNG can be used as a transportation fuel in the form of liquefied natural gas (or compressed natural gas).
Element Markets supplied the renewable natural gas used to produce the RLNG via renewable thermal certificates (RTCs). For the bunkering, the renewable thermal certificates were matched to the physical LNG loaded into the Clean Jacksonville to create the RLNG/LNG blended product.
“We are always looking for ways to meet the energy needs of our customers and help them reduce their environmental footprint,” said Roger Williams, VP Commercial LNG and Gas Development at BHE GT&S, the parent company of Pivotal LNG, which holds 50% ownership of JAX LNG. “TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico has always been at the forefront of the shipping industry in that regard. We are proud that this RLNG bunkering event can serve as an example of what is possible in the realm of renewable natural gas and look to further expand on this success.”
JAX LNG is the long-term supplier to TOTE’s two LNG-fueled container vessels, the Isla Bella and the Perla del Caribe, which operate between Jacksonville and Puerto Rico.
“We’re proud to partner with JAX LNG, which has continued to solidify its position as the industry leader in the clean fuel revolution,” said Mike Noone, President of TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico. “RNG is a clean, drop-in fuel source that can be readily deployed for use today, since it needs no new equipment to capture or transport it.”
