The Port of Las Palmas has successfully executed its first truck-to-ship liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation. The recipient was a dual-fuel passenger ferry, the *Mercedes Pinto*, operated by the Spanish shipping company Baleària. This operation involved two trucks simultaneously delivering 39 metric tons (600 megawatt-hours) of LNG to the vessel. Spanish supplier ESK Gas provided the fuel for this milestone event.
This development signifies a growing trend in the maritime industry towards adopting cleaner fuels like LNG to reduce emissions. For freight forwarders and operations managers, the increasing availability of LNG bunkering options in key ports like Las Palmas is a positive indicator. It supports the wider adoption of LNG-powered vessels, which can contribute to more environmentally compliant supply chains. While this specific event concerns a passenger ferry, it demonstrates the port's capability and infrastructure for alternative fuels, potentially paving the way for similar services for cargo vessels in the future. This expansion of bunkering infrastructure can offer more flexible routing and fuel choices for LNG-powered ships, potentially impacting vessel schedules and operational costs by reducing the need for diversions to dedicated LNG terminals.
