ExxonMobil, Eagle LNG Partners and Crowley sign LNG collaboration agreement
ExxonMobil, Eagle LNG Partners LLC (Eagle LNG Partners) and Crowley have signed an agreement to collaborate on the development of LNG as a marine fuel. The goal is to establish the storage and technical support necessary to provide safe, reliable LNG delivery for vessel operators bunkering in North America.
The three companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 27th June. The parties will initially focus their efforts in Florida before expanding to other North American markets.
ExxonMobil will provide its technical support and expertise to help the parties carry out safe bunkering operations and sell LNG bunker fuel to vessel operators. Eagle LNG Partners will supply the LNG and will design, build and operate small-scale production and storage facilities as well as coordinate land-based LNG transportation. Crowley will provide bunker logistics and ensure safe and reliable operations.
"The Memorandum of Understanding is another major step forward in developing LNG as a marine fuel. It will leverage the specialist knowledge and expertise of ExxonMobil, Eagle LNG Partners and Crowley to the benefit of vessel operators bunkering in North America," said Luca Volta, LNG Venture Manager at ExxonMobil. "This agreement provides additional opportunities for vessel operators looking to adopt LNG as a marine fuel."
The decision by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to introduce a global 0.50 percent sulphur cap on vessel emissions in 2020 will impact bunker fuel selection. The parties believe that the marine industry is heading for a multi-fuel future that will include low-sulphur options, with LNG an important part of that mix.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international oil and gas company, uses technology and innovation to help meet the world's growing energy needs. ExxonMobil holds an industry-leading inventory of resources and is one of the world's largest integrated refiners, marketers of petroleum products and chemical manufacturers.
About Eagle LNG Partners
Eagle LNG Partners is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ferus Natural Gas Fuels LP and privately-held by The Energy & Minerals Group. Eagle LNG Partners is building LNG infrastructure across the United States to supply clean-burning, competitively-priced fuel for the marine, remote power, rail, oil and gas, and trucking industries. Eagle LNG Partners is based in Houston, TX.
About Crowley Maritime Corporation
Jacksonville-based Crowley Holdings Inc., a holding company of the 125-year-old Crowley Maritime Corporation, is a privately held family and employee-owned company. The company provides project solutions, energy and logistics services in domestic and international markets by means of six operating lines of business: Puerto Rico/Caribbean Liner Services, Latin America Liner Services, Logistics Services, Petroleum Services, Marine Services and Technical Services.
