Total to Charter First LNG-Fuelled VLCCs

Total has signed an agreement to charter its first two LNG-powered very large crude carriers (VLCCs), it announced on April 7.

The two vessels, able to carry around 300,000 mt of crude oil each, will be delivered in 2022, joining the time-chartered fleet of Total. They are owned by Malaysian shipowner AET.

"LNG is the best and immediately available solution to reduce the environmental footprint of shipping,” Total's senior vice president for shipping, Luc Gillet, said in a statement. "The use of LNG to fuel our chartered vessels is the illustration of our determination to reduce the carbon footprint of our activities. With this decision, we reaffirm today our positive contribution to a sustainable shipping industry and our commitment to extend the use of LNG as a clean marine fuel."

Total's bunkering division will provide the VLCCs with LNG fuel.