TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico has successfully bunkered the world’s first liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered containership, the MV Isla Bella, at the Port of Jacksonville, Florida.
The bunkering, which was conducted under the US Coast Guard (USCG), transferred 100,000 gallons of LNG transported by 12 TOTE-owned LNG International Standards Organization (ISO) containers. Transfer time was significantly reduced thanks to a specially developed transfer skid that was developed by TOTE’s partner Applied Cryogenics Technologies (ACT), enabling four ISO tanks to be transferred to Isla Bella at once.
Oversight of the operation both at shipside and on shore was provided by TOTE Services, Inc. (TSI), TOTE Maritime’s sister company that manages the vessels.
By using LNG as a fuel, TOTE will reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions by 98%, sulphur oxides (SOx) emissions by 97%, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 72% and particulate matter (PM) by 60% in the Puerto Rico trade route, much of which falls within an Emission Control Area (ECA).
The Isla Bella has a capacity of 3,100 TEUs and can operate on traditional bunker fuel if necessary. Its sister ship, Perla del Caribe, will be delivered to TOTE sometime in the first quarter.
