MARCH 29, 2012 — Stockholm, Sweden, has become the world's first port to offer vessel-to-vessel LNG bunkering facilities for a large passenger vessel.

Earlier this month, Helena Bonnier, Chair of the Board of Directors at Ports of Stockholm performed the naming ceremony for the launch of the bunkering vessel Seagas.

Converted from an existing ferry with the help of a €261,000 contribution from the European Union's TEN-T program, the Seagas be used by LNG supplier AGA AB to bunker the LNG-fueled ferry Viking Grace (see earlier story).

At this month's CMA event in Connecticut, providing vessel-to-vessel bunkering was identified as key to making LNG fueling practical for large oceangoing vessels. Initially, the Seagas is being tested with 1,000 tonnes of LNG, which is a step in the direction of the fuel volumes that would be required.

"Our new passenger ferry, M/S Viking Grace, represents an environmental milestone, and the ability to provide LNG bunkering opportunities is a very important piece of the jigsaw in our environmental work. That is why we are very pleased that the solution for LNG bunkering is now in place," explains Viking Line's Technical Director, Tony Öhman.

"It is very rewarding that, thanks to our LNG terminal in Nynäshamn and our bunkering vessel Seagas, we can contribute to an infrastructure that has made it possible for M/S Viking Grace to bunker LNG from vessel to vessel at Ports of Stockholm. LNG provides major environmental benefits in comparison to traditional maritime fuels," says Jan Bäckvall, CEO of AGA AB.

"We are extremely proud to be able to offer LNG at Ports of Stockholm. Together with Viking Line and AGA we have solved the important permit issues, built an infrastructure and established good bunkering procedures. We will also be able to utilize this experience in future LNG infrastructure solutions," says Helena Bonnier.