6 July, in Gdańsk, a LNG bunkering operation was carried out by method truck-to-ship. Newly built ferry NB101 passenger-car, equipped with dual-fuel engines, received a supply of blue fuel from the Estonian company Eleanor. Thus, the company officially inaugurated bunker operations on the Polish market.

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Eleanor enters the Polish LNG bunkering market

The Estonian Elenger company, which is the largest private energy supplier in the Baltic-Finnish region, has launched in Poland a liquefied natural gas bunkering service (LNG) for vessels. This operation was the first in the history of the company to refuel LNG using autocysterns in Poland and was carried out at the Gdańsk Shipyard "Remontion" named after J. Piłsudski SA.

During the operation, 139 m3 LNG were given to the Ro-Pax NB101 cryogenic tank. Bunkering took place using three Elenger autocysterns, according to the procedure truck-to-ship. The technology used allows flexible and safe delivery of fuel to vessels in port, without the need for fixed infrastructure.

Ferry NB101 ready for LNG

Ferry Ro-Pax NB101, built at the Shipbuilding "Renovation", will be designed to carry 400 passengers and vehicles. The gym system used is based on four dual-fuel engines (LNG/diesel), which will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 25% relative to conventional drives.

A series of tests complying with the requirements of the DNV classification society were carried out before proper bunkering took place. Power supply, ventilation, gas monitoring and security systems have been checked and approved. The LNG tank passed the drying and cooling process with liquid nitrogen to temperatures of -130°C. At the same time, tests of the conventional fuel propulsion system were carried out, allowing the unit to prepare for the adoption of gas.

The entire operation was supervised with specialized sensors controlling the atmosphere, pressure, temperature and LNG level in the tank.

Tanking of LNG was crucial for the launch of the final phase of port tests (Harbour Acceptance Tests) and the tests of the NB101 ferry drive. According to information provided by the shipyard, another bunkering unit is planned just before the sea trials begin.

Know-how from Tallinn – LNG no longer only for Scandinavia

Eleanor has a lot of experience in bunkering LNG by method truck-to-ship, performing more than 6000 operations since 2017, mainly in the ports of Tallinn, Helsinki, Hanasaari and Hanko. The company is also a ship operator Optimusused in operations ship-to-ship in the Baltic Sea.

This is a historic moment for us. Starting bunker activity in Poland is a natural step in the development of our offer, based on proven logistics and experienced team. Our solutions allow shipowners to switch to low-carbon fuels, effectively contributing to decarbonisation of shipping in the Baltic Sea.
Marius Cairos, President of Elenger Sp. z o.o.

LNG as strategic fuel in Polish ports

For years, Eleanor has been developing an offer for natural gas, electricity and energy efficiency consulting. Currently, thanks to the extended fleet of auto-cystern LNG and the efficient logistics facility, the company also extends its operations to the maritime transport sector.

The inclusion of LNG bunkering in Elenger's portfolio in Poland is part of a wider trend in the modernisation of ports and the upgrading of fuel infrastructure for units meeting the environmental requirements of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).

Eleanor – more than 150 years of experience and own infrastructure

Elenger is the largest private energy company operating in the Baltic-Finnish region, which dates back to 1864. Its presence in six countries – Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Germany – serves more than 450 000 customers. The company's scope includes the sale and marketing of gas fuel and electricity, the development of gas and energy infrastructure, as well as the production of biomethane and energy from solar power plants.

The Elenger Group's structure includes 9,000 kilometres of gas pipelines in Poland, Estonia and Latvia. The company owns its own LNG auto tanker fleet, CNG station network and ship Optimus, used to bunker units by method ship-to-ship. Elenger is wholly owned by Infortar, an investment entity listed on the main market of Nasdaq Tallinn.

Source: Eleanor