AGA Gas AB and Viking Line ABP have agreed upon a new six-year contract for the continued supply of LNG to the cruise ship, M/S Viking Grace, as well as the new LNG-operated cruise vessel, which is currently under construction and scheduled to be launched by Viking Line during 2021.
"We've been absolutely delighted with AGA as a partner. With Viking Grace as an industry pio-neer, we've been able to offer our customers travel and transportation with a full commitment to green values. Thanks to its capacity to provide reliable delivery and expertise in the field of technology and green fuel, AGA is the logical choice for us," said Jan Hanses, CEO at Viking Line.
Launched in the spring of 2013, the LNG bunkering vessel, Seagas, provides Grace with more than 60 tonnes of LNG (liquefied natural gas) for each bunkering procedure, while the ship is moored at Stadsgården, Stockholm, and the passengers and cargo are being loaded and unloaded. Up to now, Seagas has carried out almost 1,400 LNG bunkering procedures for the M/S Viking Grace cruise ship.
"We're naturally very pleased to have secured the continued confidence of Viking Line when it comes to Seagas and the bunkering solution developed by AGA, and look forward to our partnership extending long into the future," said Tor Huseboe, head of Clean Energy within AGA REN.
LNG offers better performance than other fossil fuels and has significant environmental benefits compared to traditional maritime fuel; carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 20–30 percent, sulphur emissions and harmful particles disappear completely and nitrogen dioxide emissions are substantially reduced. Besides its extensive environmental benefits, LNG also ensures a cleaner, better work environment.
"Once again, this sends an important message to other market players that LNG is a long-term, sustainable fuel for maritime transport," said Jonas Åkermark, Product Manager LNG Marine Market at AGA Gas AB.