Monjasa deploys LNG bunkering vessel to serve charter in UAE

Danish shipping company Monjasa has deployed a chartered LNG bunkering vessel to the UAE in response to an increasing demand for alternative fuels.

Monjasa's first bunkering operation in the UAE was completed in Dubai Harbour on Saturday, January 4, when the bunkering vessel Green Zeebrugge supplied 3,000 cubic metres of LNG fuel (more than half of Green Zeebrugge's maximum LNG cargo capacity) to the cruise ship Costa Smeralda.

Monjasa’s move into LNG bunkering comes at a time where recent DNV data shows that there are now 1,262 LNG-fuelled vessels of which 613 are trading with a further 649 on order – compared to just 62 LNG-fuelled vessels in 2015.

Monjasa chartered Green Zeebrugge in Amsterdam in November 2024, and the vessel arrived in Dubai on December 26. Following inspection at Port Rashid, the official bunkering permits were issued to Monjasa by the Dubai Maritime Authority and the Dubai Ports Authority.

To establish a viable local LNG bunkering option, port authorities, energy companies and shipowners are currently working together with Monjasa to finalise the development of adequate LNG bunkering infrastructure.

Through this extended collaboration, Monjasa expects to offer a comprehensive fuel mix, including very low-sulphur fuel oil, marine gas oil, high-sulphur fuel oil, biofuels, and LNG at UAE ports going forward.