Ro-ro company United European Car Carriers (UECC) and Titan Clean Fuels (Titan) have signed a new agreement that will see the vast majority of liquified gas supplied by Titan to UECC’s multi-fuel ships to have them run on biomethane (LBM/bio-LNG) for the remainder of 2024 and then most of 2025.
The deal expands upon UECC and Titan’s established commitment to using LBM. Since 1 July 2024, over 95% of the fuel delivered to UECC’s pure car and truck carriers (PCTCs) by Titan has been LBM; resulting in avoiding more than 30,000t of GHG emitted.
According to Titan’s analysis, the quantity of LBM in 2025, which Titan and UECC are realistically targeting, will avoid more than 75,000t of GHG emitted. Using LBM over oil-based fuels virtually eliminates harmful local emissions black soot and other particular matters (PM), NOx and SOx.
This transition to biomethane is considered to amplify the success of UECC’s ‘Sail for Change’ sustainability strategy, as it will exceed its carbon intensity targets, which use the same metric as the industry’s forthcoming FuelEU Maritime regulation. In fact, the use of LBM will offer UECC over-compliance with FuelEU Maritime across its overall fleet, and so it is actively exploring pooling and banking options.
Daniel Gent, UECC Energy and Sustainability Manager said: “Through our CO2 registry, this agreement offers our customers the opportunity to significantly reduce their scope three emissions, and we appreciate those that have already jumped at the offer. Toyota Motor Europe, Ford of Europe and another major European vehicle manufacturer quickly signed up to Green Gas Month in July 2024, and following its success every month will now essentially be Green Gas Month. The engagement in ‘Sail for Change’ from our customers, alongside Titan’s in-depth expertise in clean fuel supply and bunkering, have allowed us to almost entirely transition from LNG to LBM, and to swiftly scale up our use of biomethane. With this expansion, we look forward to hearing from more customers who want to reduce their scope three emissions and use sustainable shipping services today.”
Caspar Gooren, Titan Commercial Director Renewable Fuels, said: “As frontrunners with a strong and clear renewable fuels strategy, UECC has been pivotal in propelling the uptake of LBM, and we are excited to be supporting them as they sail towards a sustainable future. This agreement highlights that, just like LNG before it, LBM is quickly becoming a standardised product and gaining popularity as it is recognised as future fuel. The LBM delivery scale and consistency we’re able to achieve is, in part, thanks to robust mass balancing processes and related liquefaction LNG terminal infrastructure in the region. It’s now time for the whole of Europe and the world to follow suit. Looking ahead, both Titan and UECC are aligned on the need to geographically expand biomethane supply and diversify waste feedstocks to ensure certified LBM is accessible to those in shipping that want and need it.”
The announcement follows news that UECC has invested in two new multi-fuel car carriers to be delivered in 2028, with the option to add two more. This move, combined with the latest biomethane agreement with Titan, is said to build a strong foundation for UECC’s long-term commitment to the LNG pathway and transition to biomethane.
Image: Bunkering operation with Titan’s FF002 and UECC’s Auto Aspire vessel (source: Titan/Blue Comms)
