<article><p class="lead">An Aframax tanker, the <i>Pacific Ruby</i>, received 600t of LNG bunker fuel off the Florida coast on its way from Houston to Rotterdam, according to the tanker's owner, AET.</p><p>AET said this was the company's first time bunkering one of its tankers with LNG in the US. </p><p>The operation, which AET said took a total of nine hours outside of Port Canaveral, was coordinated with Shell, which sees LNG bunkers as an immediately effective way for the global shipping fleet to reduce its emissions. </p><p>LNG emits approximately 25pc less carbon dioxide than conventional fuels in providing the same amount of propulsion power, AET said. </p><p>The decision to bunker with LNG instead of fuel oil came <a href="https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/2259318">despite soaring LNG prices</a>. The price of 0.5pc sulfur fuel oil in Houston ex-wharf is $572.50/t, compared with the price of Houston LNG bunkers, which <i>Argus</i> puts at $1,371/t. </p><p>As a dual-fuel ship, the <i>Pacific Ruby</i> can also burn conventional oil-based bunker.</p><p>The <i>Pacific Ruby</i> is carrying 682,000 bl of crude loaded in Houston to Rotterdam where it is expected to arrive on 25 October, according to vessel tracking. </p><p>Shell said it is offering LNG bunkers in 10 countries and 15 ports. </p><p class="bylines">By Nicholas Watt</p></article>
