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Global top 10 marine fuels supplier, Monjasa, is pleased to announce the United Arab Emirates’ and the Middle East region’s first LNG bunkering, which took place on 4 January 2025 at Dubai Harbour Cruise Terminal B together with Costa Cruises, part of Carnival Corporation. 

On this occasion, the Monjasa operated LBV Green Zeebrugge went alongside the Costa Smeralda (185,000 GT) cruise line vessel and successfully delivered around 3,000 cubic meters of LNG.

Issuing first LNG bunkering permits in Dubai

On 18 December 2024, Monjasa initially announced the charter of the LBV, Green Zeebrugge (5,000 cubic metres), for operations in the United Arab Emirates.

About a week later, on 26 December 2024, Green Zeebrugge arrived in Dubai waters following the departure from Amsterdam in November. The vessel was inspected by the authorities in Port Rashid on 27 December 2024, and the official bunkering permits were issued to Monjasa by the Dubai Maritime Authority & Dubai Ports Authority.

Looking ahead, Monjasa will continue the close collaboration with the UAE authorities, energy companies and shipowners on further developing adequate LNG bunkering infrastructure for the benefit of the increasing dual-fuelled merchant fleet.

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard:

“We are excited about this first successful supply operation and to pioneer LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE. However, reaching this milestone was only possible through the close collaboration of our forward-thinking partners at Carnival and Costa Cruises, ADNOC L&S and the UAE’s federal and local authorities, who are constantly embracing maritime innovation. Together, we are all striving to position the UAE as a leading shipping hub in alternative fuels too.” 

Capt. Ibrahim Al Blooshi, CEO of Dubai Ports Authority:

The regulatory entity overseeing port operations across Dubai, a subsidiary of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC):

“This milestone marks a pivotal step in our journey toward sustainability and reinforces our commitment to pioneering eco-friendly initiatives in the maritime sector. By leading the way with Dubai’s first LNG bunkering operation, we are setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility while positioning our port as a global leader in sustainable maritime practices”

 Chartering additional ADNOC L&S floating storage unit  

At the same time, ADNOC Logistics and Services, a global energy maritime logistics leader, has agreed chartering out a suitable LNG carrier to Monjasa for a period of nine months as a Floating Storage Unit (FSU). ADNOC L&S are investing significantly in its LNG fleet to ensure safe and efficient operations to support the energy transition.

Through this unwavering support from ADNOC L&S, Monjasa thus welcomes the Shandong Juniper (72,740 dwt), which will join the Monjasa fleet by mid-January 2025.

By serving as FSU and performing cargo operations, the Singapore-flagged Shandong Juniper becomes a key component in tying together Monjasa’s new operations.

This first LNG supply operation is the outcome of Monjasa’s close collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure (MOEI) and Dubai Maritime Authority & Dubai Ports Authority (PCFC) and Dubai Habour.

Please contact our team in Dubai to learn more about our marine fuels services in the UAE. 

Global top 10 marine fuels supplier, Monjasa, introduces the UAE’s first dedicated LNG Bunker Vessel (LBV), Green Zeebrugge (5,000 cubic metres), as a response to an increasing alternative fuels demand.

Monjasa’s move into LNG bunkering comes at a time where recent DNV data shows that there are now 1,262 LNG-fuelled vessels of which 613 are trading with a further 649 on order – compared to just 62 LNG-fuelled vessels in 2015.

Deploying the Green Zeebrugge is the first important step in introducing LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE.

Monjasa chartered the Green Zeebrugge in Amsterdam in November, and she is now enroute UAE with estimated arrival in Dubai before the New Year.

Monjasa Group CEO, Anders Østergaard:

“Monjasa’s role is to keep challenging the status quo and providing new market opportunities to shipowners who are increasingly looking for ways to decarbonise their vessels.

Deploying the Green Zeebrugge is the first important step in introducing LNG as a new marine fuel option in the UAE. Looking ahead, continued close collaboration with our local maritime partners is crucial in further exploring new supply chains and positioning the UAE as a leading shipping hub in alternative fuels too.”

Monjasa started its maritime operations in the Middle East in 2005 and became the first marine fuels supplier to deliver biofuels in the UAE in 2022.  

Developing adequate LNG bunkering infrastructure

To establish a viable local LNG bunkering option, port authorities, energy companies and shipowners are currently working together with Monjasa to finalise the development of adequate LNG bunkering infrastructure.

Through this extended collaboration, Monjasa expects to offer a comprehensive fuel mix, including Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO), Marine Gas Oil (MGO), High-Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO), biofuels and LNG at UAE ports going forward.  

Green Zeebrugge is expected to undergo safety and quality inspections by the local authorities before the New Year and supply Monjasa’s first ever LNG in January 2025.

Please contact our team in Dubai to learn more about our marine fuels services in the Middle East. 

Global top 10 marine fuels supplier, Monjasa, expands further into the US Gulf, following five years of maritime operations in the Port of Houston.

As part of this new operation, Monjasa has agreed charter terms for the tanker, MT Stenheim (16,626 dwt), with immediate effect.

Monjasa is already a well-established shipping partner operating three barges across the Greater Houston Area and currently delivering 35,000-40,000 metric tonnes of marine fuels monthly.  

 In-port and offshore flexibility

The Port of Houston continues to grow its importance as trade gateway for the state of Texas, and the U.S. as a whole, and recent years of infrastructure developments have led to more larger vessels calling the port and increased cargo volumes.

Monjasa’s new offshore US Gulf operation focuses primarily on the larger vessel segments across the oil, chemical and gas tankers that cannot necessarily access the bunkering locations in the Houston Ship Channel.

Besides this added flexibility for shipowners, Monjasa also highlights the importance of product quality across the US Gulf area, as the company continues sourcing its fuel products from vetted major suppliers only. 

We are building on our local knowledge and strong supplier partnerships to add further flexibility for the increasing ship traffic in the area.

Trading Manager Americas, Anastasios Manalis, says:

“We are building on our local knowledge and strong supplier partnerships to add further flexibility for the increasing ship traffic in the area. Besides getting the logistics right, we are well aware that the marine fuel quality continues to be an important parameter in the US Gulf area. By seizing ownership across sourcing, shipping and supply, we will match the increasing demand for multiple product testing and bring the highest possible fuel quality standard to the offshore US Gulf too.”

Monjasa expects key supply locations to include Galveston Offshore Lightering Area (GOLA), Southwest Pass (SWP), South Sabine Pass and Offshore Corpus Christi.

As part of the new operation. Monjasa will start supplying Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO) and Marine Gas Oil (MGO) from the MT Stenheim tanker.

Facts about MT Stenheim

MT Stenheim is SIRE vetted and brings an experienced crew when it comes to handling ship-to-ship bunkering operations in the US Gulf environment.

• IMO: 92611114
• Flag: Gibraltar
• DWT: 16,626
• Year built: 2003
• LOA: 144m
• Beam: 23m

Overall, Monjasa operates some 35 vessels worldwide and supplies around 6.5m tonnes of marine fuels yearly.

Please contact our Americas team in Houston or Panama to learn more about our marine fuels services in the U.S.

Today, global oil and shipping group Monjasa reveals additional ownership of the two tankers, Monjasa Rover (17,200 DWT) and Monjasa Hunter (7,858 DWT). The latter joins as a unique fleet addition targeting length-restricted offshore oil and gas vessels in West Africa, including FPSOs.

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Today, global oil and shipping group Monjasa reveals additional ownership of the two tankers, Monjasa Rover (17,200 DWT) and Monjasa Hunter (7,858 DWT). The latter joins as a unique fleet addition targeting length-restricted offshore oil and gas vessels in West Africa, including FPSOs.

… Continue reading

Global top 10 marine fuels supplier, Monjasa, introduces the Panama Canal’s largest and technically most advanced tanker, the Monjasa Thunder (19,991 DWT), for improved operational flexibility.

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Oil and shipping group, Monjasa, is pleased to announce the relocation of its Stamford, Connecticut office to New York City in June 2024.

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On 22 February 2024, global top 10 marine fuels company, Monjasa, supplied a total of 510 tonnes of B30 marine biofuels the Cargill operated dry bulk carrier, Infinity Sky, in the Port of Callao, Peru.

This operation marked the first ISCC-certified biofuels supply on the Pacific Coast of South America and the establishment of a scalable 2nd generation marine biofuels supply chain. This new and sustainable setup is developed in collaboration with Fuel & Marine Oil Corp (FAMOIL) and is capable of delivering a total of 12,000-15,000 tonnes monthly.

Preparing for the changing marine fuels mix

This new Peruvian biofuels option is a natural extension of Monjasa’s existing biofuels operations in Cartagena, Colombia and forms part of the company’s overall preparations for the changing marine fuels mix.

Although today’s marine biofuels markets are still emerging slowly, Monjasa is currently in dialogue with several shipowners and operators to arrange both spot and contract-based supplies in Peru and the traditionally busy Port of Callao. An area which has also recently become a popular bunker call-only option for vessels rerouting south due to the ongoing Panama Canal transit restrictions.

Trading Director Americas, Jonas Bruslund:

“We are excited to keep challenging the status quo and offer new solutions to shipowners who are increasingly looking for ways to decarbonise their vessels. Based on our daily conversations with customers, we expect to see more shipowners moving from biofuels trial runs to more regular supplies – and making these fuels more broadly available is the first step of that development. We are all on a steep learning curve and we would like to thank our partners on this first supply operation, FAMOIL and Cargill, who have contributed significantly to reaching this milestone.”

Customised biofuels blends

This new low-carbon fuels option in Peru is also another example of global marine fuels suppliers such as Monjasa engaging further into new partnerships across the supply chain.

As such, this new 2nd generation biofuels supply chain is a result of the combined efforts by FAMOIL and Monjasa to offer a full fledged setup. As shipowners’ biofuels preferences differ, this new collaboration accommodates both VLSFO and HSFO-based biofuel blends as well as availability of pure biodiesel B100.

On the occasion of this first supply operation, the B30 biofuel blend consisted of 30% Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) and 70% Very Low Sulphur Fuel Oil (VLSFO).

ISCC-certified feedstock and operation

As a ISCC-certified partner, Monjasa allows all involved parties to trace feedstock used for the production of biofuels from the point of origin to the end consumer. In addition, Monjasa measures the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from each phase of the supply chain and makes this data available to shipowners as well.

Looking ahead, Monjasa aims to establish a string of biofuels supply locations across the region to support the shipping industry in meeting IMO’s 2050 climate change commitments.

Please contact our team in Panama to learn more about our biofuels services across the Americas. 

Bringing profound knowledge of international shipping from more than 30 years as part of A.P. Moller – Maersk, Lars-Erik Brenøe, will take part in the further development of global marine fuels supplier, Monjasa.

Lars-Erik Brenøe has previously held various positions across A.P. Moller – Maersk, including the role as Personal Assistant to former CEO and Chairman, Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller, for at total of 19 years. This appointment as member of the Board of Directors of Monjasa, is Lars-Erik Brenøe’s first non-executive director’s role outside A.P. Moller Holding’s umbrella of related business activities and investments.

“I am excited to join Monjasa at this transformative time for the company as well as the industry, which is playing an increasingly important role in supporting the green shipping transition”

Fuelling the future of shipping with Monjasa

Monjasa fuels global trade in 800+ ports around the world and within recent years the company has developed into a global top 10 supplier of marine fuels products to the maritime industry.

Joining the board of Monjasa Holding, Lars-Erik Brenøe will engage in the further development of Monjasa’s position as a leading global shipping partner enabling further industry digitalisation and the logistics of the green shipping transition.

Flemming Ipsen, Chairman of the Board:

”We are fortunate to welcome Lars-Erik Brenøe to the Monjasa Board of Directors and the marine fuels industry. Lars-Erik brings with him a comprehensive network and wealth of experience from international business and the broader shipping community, as well as solid experience navigating transformation of owner-led organisations. Combined with his elaborate stakeholder understanding and critical thinking, Lars-Erik will be a valuable contributor to Monjasa’s further development in the years to come.”

Lars-Erik Brenøe, Board Member:

“I am excited to join Monjasa at this transformative time for the company as well as the industry, which is playing an increasingly important role in supporting the green shipping transition. I look forward to use my experience and competencies to contributing to the further development and progress of Monjasa.”

Facts about Lars-Erik Brenøe

• Master’s degree in law from the University of Copenhagen in 1986 and the Executive Leadership Programme at IMD in 1998.
• Various leadership roles at A.P. Moller-Maersk from 1991-2022, incl. Senior Vice President Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller’s Secretariat and Executive Vice President, Head of Chairman’s office.
• Currently active in various board functions, incl. A.P. Moller Holding A/S, A.P. Moller Foundation, Danske Bank and Odense Port.

The Monjasa Holding A/S Board of Directors hereby consists of:

Flemming Ipsen (chair)
Peder Gellert Pedersen
Lotte Grønborg Lundberg
Lars-Erik Brenøe
Anders Østergaard

Monjasa’s Annual Report for 2022 revealed an increasing total supply volume of 6.4m tonnes of marine fuels, a net result of USD 171m and consolidated group equity of USD 323m.

Find more information about Monjasa’s Board of Directors here.