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AGA Gas AB and Viking Line Abp have signed an agreement on delivery of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Viking Line’s new cruise ship with its environmental profile that is a forerunner within shipping.
“AGA’s and Viking Line’s investment means major environmental gains in comparison to traditional maritime fuel”, says Jan Bäckvall, Head of Europe North in Linde and responsible for AGA". “For Baltic shipping, this can be the primary solution in the future”.
Viking Line’s new vessel with the project name”NB 1376” will operate on the stretch Stockholm-Åbo from January 2013. The vessel is being manufactured at the STX boatyard in Åbo and has a capacity of 2,800 passengers, as well as large space for vehicles. The vessel will be powered by LNG that will be stored in purpose-built tanks.
LNG contains no sulphur or heavy metals and reduces carbon emissions by 20-30% compared to oil. LNG meets IMO’s (International Maritime Organization) directives that sulfur content in marine fuel must not exceed 0.1 percent by weight from 2015 onwards. In addition, it complies with future requirements to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions.
The vessel’s consumption of LNG is estimated at 22,500 tonnes annually, or about 60 tonnes per day. AGA will supply the liquefied natural gas from AGA's LNG terminal in Nynäshamn, which opened in 2011.
Planning, projecting and permission for bunkering (refueling) of the vessel at Stadsgården in Stockholm is in progress.
"The cooperation between AGA and Viking Line means that the guidelines for the management of a new fuel will be developed. This paves the way for a new infrastructure for Swedish shipping where LNG is of great future importance,” says Michael Backman, CEO of Viking Line Abp.
"Viking Line's environmentally conscious investment is an important "flagship" for shipping and a cleaner Baltic Sea area. The proximity to the LNG terminal, which provides flexible and reliable deliveries and AGA's knowledge of cryogenic environmentally friendly fuel and bunkering technology, make AGA a natural partner in this pioneering project,” says Jan Bäckvall, AGA.
For more information, please contact:
Carl-Lennart Axelsson,
Regional Manager LNG, AGA Gas AB,
Mobil: 070-644 67 72, carl-lennart.axelsson@se.aga.com
Jonas Åkermark,
Responsible LNG Shipping,
AGA Gas AB +46 70 274 57 10, jonas.akermark@se.aga.com
New Business Manager Region Europe North,
AGA Gas AS +47 97 04 41 81, tor.huseboe@no.aga.com
Jan Bäckvall,
Head of Europe North in Linde and responsible for AGA,
jan.backvall@linde-gas.com , +46 70 50 88 838