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Shell Western LNG B.V., a subsidiary of energy major Royal Dutch Shell, has inked an agreement with Netherlands-based Van der Kamp to supply its new LNG-fuelled dredging vessel, LNG World News reports.

The new dredger, named Ecodelta, is currenly under construction at the Barkmeijer shipyard. It is expected to start operating in Rotterdam in 2018.

Commenting on the agreement, Lauran Wetemans, Shell's General Manager Downstream LNG, is cited as saying: "This agreement shows the continued momentum of LNG as a fuel option. LNG is now an effective alternative to traditional fuels for ships around the world, and we are ready to supply customers in northwest Europe. Working together in close collaboration with companies like Van der Kamp will help enable the move to a cleaner, more efficient shipping sector in the future."

When delivered, the Ecodelta will be one of the few LNG-powered dredgers in operation. On 3rd December, Belgium's Dredging Environmental & Marine Engineering (DEME) launched the world's first dual-fuel trailing suction hopper dredger (TSHD), the Minerva. The launch ceremony for DEME's - and the world's - second LNG-fuelled TSHD, the Scheldt River, took place on 14th January at Royal IHC's shipyard in Krimpen aan den IJssel, Netherlands.

Shell has been importing and storing product at Rotterdam's Gas Access to Europe (Gate) terminal since October 2015, allowing the company to supply LNG to marine and road transportation firms calling at the facility.

Gate terminal is a subsidiary of Dutch firms Vopak and Gasunie; it is located on the Maasvlakte in Rotterdam and was the first LNG import terminal to be launched in the Netherlands. The facility was officially opened in September 2011. On 20th January 2014, Primagaz Benelux was the first company to load a trailer of LNG there.