THE BULK carrier HL Green (IMO 9869344) received a special greeting when it arrived on its maiden voyage to Port Hedland on Wednesday 6 January.
HL Green was the first LNG-fuelled vessel to berth at Port Hedland.
The vessel was built in South Korea and launched on 11 December last year. The vessel is expected to make about 10 round trips a year between South Korea and Australia.
HL Green is distinguished from other bulk carriers in the port by the two LNG fuel tanks at the stern. The tanks each have a storage capacity of 1600 cubic metres.
In a statement, Pilbara Ports Authority said transitioning iron ore exports from heavy fuel oil vessels to LNG-fuelled vessels will reduce carbon, sulphur, nitrogen and other greenhouse gas emissions.
“If all bulk iron or presently eported from the Pilbara was shipped using LNG, sulphur and particulate matter would reduce by 95% and nitrogen emissions would reduce by 85%,” the port authority said.
The captain of HL Green was presented with a plaque to commemorate the vessel’s maiden voyage and visit to Port Hedland.
Pilbara Ports Authority CEO Roger Johnston said, “Pilbara Ports Authority was pleased to welcome HL Green and her crew to the Port of Port Hedland, as another milestone in our support of the transfer to LNG fuel as a way of reducing shipping emissions.”
According to SEA-LNG, an advocate for using LNG as a marine fuel, there are 177 LNG-fuelled ships in operation, with 230 on order.
