Total Charters Four LNG-Fired Vessels

France's Total has chartered four Aframax oil tankers that run on LNG, the French major said on October 28, noting that the move was part of its strategy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The vessels, each capable of carrying 110,000 metric tons of crude oil or refined products, will be delivered in 2023. Two will be chartered from Singapore-based Hafnia and two from Norway's Viken Shipping. By using "the most efficient LNG propulsion technologies," the tankers will emit 5,000 mt/year less GHG emissions than conventional vessels.

Total, which is among a number of European oil firms targeting net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, chartered two other very large crude carriers powered by LNG earlier this year.

"LNG as a marine fuel remains the best and immediately available solution to reduce the carbon footprint of our shipping activities," Total's senior vice president for shipping, Luc Gillet, commented. "With these four new vessels, we reaffirm our commitment to expand the use of cleaner marine fuels, for a more sustainable shipping."