Image: Skangas

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Fluxys reports that its LNG terminal in Zeebrugge recently performed the first loadings of the recently launched Coral EnergICE.

Owned by Netherlands-based Anthony Veder and on a long-term time charter with LNG bunker supplier Skangas, the ice class vessel will be making regular calls in Zeebrugge, delivering small-scale LNG to Scandinavian ports.

The Coral EnergICE is designed to operate in the sub-zero temperatures of the Baltic Sea during all weather conditions. The ship has a loading capacity of 18,000 cubic metres and is currently assigned to make year-round, small-scale LNG deliveries to ports in Sweden and Finland, including Pori and Tornio.

In a statement, Fluxys said: "Today approximately 100 ships are using LNG as a fuel in Europe and their number is set to double by 2020 when more stringent sulphur emission standards come into force. The development of new infrastructure is in full swing to support this growth of the small-scale LNG market."

The Zeebrugge LNG terminal has been offering LNG trailer-loading services since 2010. Small LNG vessels have been able to load at the facility since 2010, and its recently built second jetty is specially designed for loading small LNG bunkering vessels - delivering to LNG-fuelled ships.

Fluxys is partner - with Engie, Mitsubishi, NYK Line - in the bunkering vessel Engie Zeebrugge, which has Zeebrugge as its home port.

Recently, Fluxys also started facilitating LNG bunkering in Antwerp via the truck-to-ship delivery method.

The company also said in April that it plans to add a permanent LNG bunkering facility in Antwerp by the end of next year to complement the existing truck-to-ship bunkering service at the Belgian port.