LNG-fueled Mardi Gras refuels for the first time at Port Canaveral

Written by Marine Log Staff
LNG alternative fuel Bunkering barge alongside cruise ship

DNV sees the underlying growth for LNG as the alternative fuel of choice as very strong. [Image: QLNG]

Carnival Cruise Line has released photographs of Mardi Gras—the first cruise ship in the Americas powered by LNG—being refueled for the first time at its homeport of Port Canaveral which built the new Terminal 3 to accommodate the game-changing ship, which made its debut arrival there last week.

The refueling was carried out by Shane Guidry’s Q-LNG Transport LLC, using its Jones Act LNG bunkering ATB, the 4,000 cu.m barge Q-LNG 4000 and the tug Q Ocean Service.

Chad Verret, president of New Orleans headquartered Q-LNG Transport, called the bunkering “a very significant milestone” for the cruise industry and said that the 7 1/2 hour operation that began around 8 a.m. Tuesday went smoothly. About 2,667 cubic meters of LNG, supplied by Shell Trading Co., were loaded onto the Mardi Gras, topping off the ship from what it on arrival at Port Canaveral.

Verret said six employees of Q-LNG Transport and six Carnival employees oversaw the process, with observers from the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, Canaveral Fire Rescue, Port Canaveral and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The 1,130-foot Mardi Gras has a 3,600-cubic-meter LNG capacity, sufficient for 14 days of cruising with passengers.

LNG not only powers the ship’s four Caterpillar MaK 16 M 46 DF main engines, it’s used for all shipboard systems, from elevators, lighting and computers to galley equipment and, of course, Bolt, the first roller coaster at sea.

“Today was another milestone in what promises to be many ‘firsts’ for Mardi Gras. Many thanks to our partners at Shell and Port Canaveral for their role in bringing LNG to the Americas,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Categories: Cruise Ships, News, Shipping Tags: , , , , , , , ,