Seaside LNG’s Clean Everglades Marks 100th LNG Bunkering Delivery

Seaside LNG’s Clean Everglades Marks 100th LNG Bunkering Delivery Published in Bunker Market Seaside LNG, a leading provider of LNG production, LNG bunkering, and maritime transportation logistics, has announced a major milestone for its LNG bunkering operations. The Clean Everglades, one of the company’s most advanced LNG bunkering vessels, completed its 100th delivery on March 4, 2025, to the Tote Isla Bella. This significant achievement marks a pivotal moment in Seaside LNG’s journey toward establishing a more resilient and sustainable LNG supply chain. For the full article, browse to: Bunker Market

US DOE Eases LNG Bunkering Regulations

US DOE Eases LNG Bunkering Regulations Published in LNG Prime The US Department of Energy issued an order that removes barriers for the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) as marine fuel for vessels. For the full article, browse to: LNG Prime

Port Canaveral: First Double LNG Bunkering

Port Canaveral: First Double LNG Bunkering Published in Cruise Industry News In a first for a North American port, two ATB tug-barges provided ship-to-ship LNG refueling for two cruise ships in Port Canaveral earlier this week. According to the Canaveral Port Authority, the operation involved two ships homeported at the port: Royal Caribbean International’s Utopia of the Seas and Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wish. The LNG-powered vessels were bunkered by the sister barges Clean Canaveral and Clean Everglades while docked at their cruise terminals, said Port Canaveral. JAX LNG, a joint venture between Pivotal LNG and Seaside LNG, supplied the green fuel, the port authority added in a social media post. In 2021, Port Canaveral became the first cruise port in the United States capable of handling LNG operations. The first ship to use the cleaner-burning fuel in the port was Carnival Cruise Line’s new Mardi Gras, which continues to sail from Central Florida. In addition to the Utopia of the Seas, the Disney Wish and the Mardi Gras, the new Disney Treasure is also set to bunker LNG in Port Canaveral starting in December. In mid-2025, Royal Caribbean International’s new Star of the Seas is also set to join the lineup of LNG-powered ships operating out of the homeport. Across North America, other cruise ports that supply LNG on a regular basis include Miami and Galveston. Ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations were also carried out in Port Everglades with the arrival of Silversea’s Silver Nova. Fort Lauderdale is further expanding its LNG operations later this year with the debut of the new Sun Princess. Currently operating in the Mediterranean, the new Princess Cruises ship is scheduled to sail from the homeport on a regular basis starting in October. Additional LNG-powered ships soon arriving in North America include Silversea’s Silver Ray, MSC Cruises’ MSC World America, Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Treasure and Princess Cruises’ Star Princess.

Carnival orders three LNG-powered cruise ships at Fincantieri

Carnival orders three LNG-powered cruise ships at Fincantieri Published in LNG Prime Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri has secured an order to build three giant LNG-powered vessels for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line, a unit of Carnival. The world’s largest cruise company said on Tuesday it has signed an agreement with Fincantieri to build the three ships for its namesake Carnival Cruise Line brand. Carnival did not provide the price tag of the deal. According to Carnival, this order is contingent upon financing, which is expected to be completed later this year. The new class of vessels, at nearly 230,000 gross registered tonnes, will be delivered in the summers of 2029, 2031 and 2033, respectively. Including this order, there have been five new ship orders for Carnival Cruise Line announced in 2024. Earlier this year, Carnival placed its first newbuild orders in five years for two more Excel-class ships that will join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in 2027 and 2028. With over 3,000 guest staterooms, the new ships will be the largest in the Carnival global fleet. Once delivered in 2033, Carnival will have a total of 16 LNG-powered ships – including eight Carnival Cruise Line ships – making up almost 30 percent of Carnival’s global capacity, it said. Fincantieri also said in a separate statement that these vessels will be the largest ships ever built by Fincantieri and an Italian shipyard.

CMA CGM Symi receives LNG from North America’s largest LNG bunker barge

CMA CGM Symi receives LNG from North America’s largest LNG bunker barge Published in Offshore Energy CMA CGM Symi, a 15,000 TEU containership powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG), has received approximately 4,600 cubic meters of LNG from North America’s largest LNG bunker barge Clean Canaveral. As disclosed, JAX LNG and Seaside LNG conducted the inaugural LNG bunkering in the Port of Savannah of CMA CGM Symi during the ship’s call at the Garden City Terminal. The containership was fueled with LNG during simultaneous operations (SIMOPS). “We appreciate the opportunity to work alongside CMA CGM staff in Marseille, Norfolk and Savannah in preparation for this unique bunker event that marked CMA CGM’s first LNG SIMOPS bunkering of a 15,000-TEU ship in the United States,” Roger Williams, Manager of JAX LNG and Vice President of Commercial LNG and Gas Development at BHE GT&S, the parent company of Pivotal LNG, commented. The bunkering marks Seaside LNG’s first bunkering of a dual-fuel containership with membrane-type LNG tank technology. The technology highlights the design of Seaside LNG’s 5,500-cubic-meter series LNG articulated tug and barge (ATB). “The ATB design and skillful operator, McAllister LNG Services, has proven very resourceful to bunker container ships, car carriers, cruise ships and petroleum tankers with different cargo tank technologies,” Tim Casey, CEO of Seaside LNG, noted. The bunkering was conducted in cooperation with U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Savannah, Georgia Ports Authority, Garden City Fire Rescue, Savannah Fire Department, Savannah Pilots Association, Gateway Terminals and the International Longshoremen’s Association. To remind, the vessel Clean Canaveral is owned by Polaris New Energy, a subsidiary of Seaside LNG Holding, which took delivery of the unit at the end of 2021. Meanwhile, the bunker barge handled the LNG refueling of the M/T Damia Desgagnés on the ship’s inaugural call to Port Canaveral. Clean Canaveral delivered approximately 400 cubic meters of LNG to the vessel.

Newbuild Ocean Tug Bolsters Growing LNG Bunker Fleet

Newbuild ocean tug bolsters growing LNG bunker fleet Published in Riviera With the LNG-capable fleet projected to top more than 1,000 ships by 2027, growing LNG bunkering infrastructure at ports in Europe, Asia and North America will be vital. Investments by the largest US LNG bunker vessel owner, Houston-based Seaside LNG and its maritime transport arm New Polaris Energy, continue to enhance LNG refuelling infrastructure in the US. In March, Seaside LNG/Polaris New Energy reported the delivery of the newbuild ocean tug Tortuga as part of a new LNG bunkering articulated tug barge (ATB) unit. Built by Alabama shipbuilder Master Boat Builders, the 2,983-kW ocean tug is the power unit for 5,500-m3 LNG bunker ocean barge Clean Everglades. Seaside LNG took delivery of Clean Everglades from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in October 2023. Tortuga has an overall length of 33 m, with propulsion power supplied by two EPA-compliant Tier 4 Caterpillar 3512E main engines that drive two Berg MTA 523 Z-drives. A JAK 400PHL-L coupling system supplied by Beacon Finland allows Tortuga to connect to Clean Everglades to form the ATB unit. The same coupling system is used for a sister LNG ATB unit, consisting of the ocean tug Polaris and Clean Canaveral. Clean Everglades was designed by Vard and has an overall length of 104 m, beam of 20 m, and depth of 10 m. Built to ABS class, the ocean tank barge has four 1,350-m3 IMO Type C tanks, with a cargo-handling system designed and developed by Wärtsilä Gas Solutions. In January, Clean Everglades completed its first ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of LNG to Isla Bella, one of TOTE’s two LNG-fuelled, 3,100-TEU container ships at TOTE Maritime’s terminal near Jacksonville, Florida. The operation was a regularly scheduled delivery under TOTE’s long-term service contract with Polaris New Energy. TOTE Services acts as Seaside’s operating partner for both Clean Jacksonville and Clean Everglades. “Seaside LNG/Polaris New Energy is leading the way in LNG maritime distribution, with the largest LNG bunker fleet in the country,” says Master Boat Builders president Garrett Rice. Largest LNG bunker fleet in US Of the four LNG bunker vessels operating in the US, Seaside LNG controls three of them, Clean Canaveral, Clean Everglades and Clean Jacksonville, which it acquired from TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, a subsidiary of TOTE Maritime Group, last year. Clean Jacksonville, a 2,200-m3 coastal LNG barge, has performed hundreds of LNG bunkering operations since it began operating six years ago. It has been regularly used to refuel TOTE’s Marlin-class LNG-powered container ships that operate between Jacksonville, Florida and San Juan, Puerto Rico in Jones Act service since August 2018. In November, Seaside LNG announced it would reposition Clean Jacksonville to the Port of Galveston in Texas, to provide marine transport supporting a long-term LNG supply agreement with Carnival Corp. Houston-based Stabilis Solutions will supply firm LNG deliveries from its liquefaction facility in Texas under the two-year contract with Carnival. On 30 December, the first STS transfer under the agreement was conducted at the port between Clean Jacksonville and LNG-powered cruise ship Carnival Jubilee. While relatively small at 64 m, Clean Jacksonville is unique in that it is the first and only LNG barge built to date in the US fitted with a single membrane cargo tank based on GTT Mark III Flex cargo containment technology. GTT also developed a specially designed bunkering arm to refuel ships at a transfer rate of 500 m3/h. Besides a marine transport fleet, Seaside LNG owns a 50% stake through a joint venture with Pivotal LNG in JAX LNG, a small-scale LNG production facility in Jacksonville.

Master Boat Builders delivers tug Tortuga to Seaside LNG

Master Boat Builders delivers tug Tortuga to Seaside LNG Published in MarineLink Coden, Alabama shipbuilder Master Boat Builders on Monday announced it has delivered Tortuga, the latest tugboat to join Seaside LNG/Polaris New Energy fleet. Tortuga will connect with the barge Clean Everglades, delivered from Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding in 2023, to form a Jones Act compliant articulated tug and barge (ATB) for bunkering liquefied natural gas (LNG). The new tug has an overall length of 109 feet and features two Caterpillar 3512E main engines, EPA Tier 4 certified and each producing 2,000 horsepower. The vessel also features two Berg model MTA 523 Z-drive thrusters and a JAK Beacon Finland coupler system. Tortuga will operate out of Jacksonville, Fla. alongside sister vessel Polaris—also constructed by Master Boat Builders, and delivered in 2022 “Seaside LNG/Polaris New Energy is leading the way in LNG maritime distribution, with the largest LNG bunker fleet in the country. We are proud to partner with an innovative company at the forefront of providing clean, dependable, competitively priced fuel for the shipping industry and look forward to working with them in the future,” said Garrett Rice, president of Master Boat Builders.

Journey to Sustainability: When Does the LNG “Bridge” Become the “Road”?

Journey to Sustainability: When Does the LNG “Bridge” Become the “Road”? Published in The Maritime Executive In 2012, liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a marine fuel was a budding contender in the maritime industry, holding less than one percent market share. At the same time, NASA’s Aura satellite, equipped with an Ozone Monitoring Instrument, finished capturing images of elevated nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels along shipping lanes, highlighting the environmental impact of traditional marine fuels. These oxides of nitrogen (NOx) are known to produce fine particles and ozone, significantly harming cardiovascular and respiratory health—a concern underscored by the World Health Organization, which attributes approximately seven million premature deaths annually to air pollution. The landscape has dramatically shifted forward since then: 469 LNG-fueled ships are now in operation with an additional 537 newbuilds on order. This surge places LNG at the forefront of the alternative fuel orderbook, as reported by DNV. LNG’s appeal lies in its ability to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 23 percent, sulfur emissions by 99 percent and nitrogen oxide emissions by nearly 99 percent. This is done by purifying and super-cooling natural gas to reduce its volume by 600 percent, enabling efficient transport and storage. In the “basket of alternative fuels,” LNG stands out for its environmental benefits, established infrastructure and the industry’s commitment to future-proofing maritime operations through significant investments. SEA-LNG Peter Keller, Chairman of the SEA-LNG coalition, and COO Steven Esau present a unified vision of the maritime industry’s transition toward cleaner, sustainable fuel alternatives, particularly LNG. Reflecting on the industry’s evolution, Keller recounts the delivery of M/V Isla Bella to Tote in 2015, the first LNG-powered container ship, as a pivotal moment that heralded a new era: “Today, with over 1,000 LNG-fueled vessels either operational or on order, we’re witnessing a remarkable surge in adoption. This growth, especially notable in the last two to three years, directly responds to increasingly stringent IMO regulations.” At the same time, he acknowledges the broader challenge of decarbonizing the global deepsea fleet, estimated at 60,000 vessels, and the critical issue of urban air quality. Keller highlights LNG’s environmental and operational advantages including significant reductions in sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter. He contrasts LNG’s higher energy density with other proposed alternatives, which could affect cargo capacity and financial viability: “The logistical challenge of building infrastructure and supply chains for these fuels, especially in major ports like Singapore, Rotterdam and New York, cannot be overlooked. LNG’s widespread availability and proven safety record make it a practical and immediate solution for reducing emissions.” Addressing concerns about methane slippage, Keller notes that advances in engine technology have significantly mitigated this issue. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the characteristics of available fuels and points out LNG’s potential for reducing greenhouse gases by 23 percent using two-stroke technology with further gains possible as bio-LNG becomes more accessible. Echoing his colleague’s sentiments, Esau questions the academic approach to decarbonization as lacking a practical understanding of the maritime industry: “Now that regulations must be complied with, shipowners are seeking viable pathways to decarbonization. LNG is proving to be the most viable and safest pathway for the maritime industry’s decarbonization.” He underscores the necessity of actionable solutions over theoretical debates, highlighting LNG’s role as a cornerstone in the industry’s efforts to meet environmental regulations and achieve sustainability goals. Keller concludes with a call to action: “Like Nike, Just Do It!” He calls for decisive steps toward adopting LNG and preparing for future advances. Hoping for a perfect fuel alternative is not a strategy. The industry must commit to viable, immediate solutions. “Current LNG-fueled engines are adaptable, capable of ‘dropping in’ blends of LNG and hydrogen, which positions us well for a transition to bio, blue and synthetic LNG variants,” he asserts. Galveston LNG Bunker Port Facing evolving regulatory challenges and a solid commitment to sustainability, the U.S. maritime industry is advancing with significant private capital to modernize Jones Act vessels and enhance port infrastructure. An example is the collaboration between Pilot LNG and Seapath to develop the Galveston LNG Bunker Port (GLBP), slated to become the U.S. Gulf ‘s first dedicated LNG bunkering facility. The electric-driven facility will initially liquefy 300,000 gallons per day (gpd) from locally sourced natural gas, scaling to 600,000 gpd with two three-million-gallon storage tanks. Anticipated to start operations by late 2026, the facility is a pivotal step towards aligning with stringent environmental regulations and shifting toward cleaner maritime fuel alternatives. Benson Peretti, Executive Vice President of Seapath, emphasizes the strategic significance of GLBP: “Drivers such as IMO 2020 (limiting sulfur in fuel to 0.5 percent mass) and the U.S. being an Emission Control Area (more stringent at 0.1 percent) position GLBP to significantly reduce emissions in Galveston Bay.” He highlights the facility’s role in supporting operational needs for LNG-fueled vessels. This type of infrastructure enables the maritime and cruise industries to modernize their fleets by replacing older vessels and homeporting new, cleaner ships. Reflecting on LNG’s evolving role, Peretti asks, “LNG has been called a ‘bridge,’ but when does the ‘bridge’ become the ‘road’?” Considering LNG’s more than a decade of use—nearly half the lifecycle of many ships—this question hints at the broader implications of shifting trade routes and the resonating effects of LNG infrastructure investments, which could yield unknown yet impactful dividends. Captain Jonathan Cook, CEO of Pilot LNG, emphasizes the project’s aim to address a crucial infrastructure gap – particularly in Galveston Bay and the greater Houston area, which comprise the U.S.’s largest port complex and fourth-largest cruise port. Establishing GLBP as a dedicated facility for supplying LNG bunker vessels and barges is a testament to the industry’s foresight in enhancing these critical maritime hubs’ operational capabilities and environmental performance. Rodger Rees, Port Director and CEO of Galveston Wharves, further elaborates on the initiative’s wider benefits, stating, “Providing LNG fuel at the port positions the Port of Galveston to attract the latest, technologically advanced cruise and cargo ships.” He notes the environmental and economic advantages…

Clean Canaveral Completes First LNG Bunkering of Cargo Vessel at Port Canaveral

‘Clean Canaveral’ Completes First LNG Bunkering of Cargo Vessel at Port Canaveral Port Canaveral, FL – The Clean Canaveral liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunker barge has completed its first barge-to-ship bunkering of a cargo vessel at Port Canaveral’s South Cargo Berth 4. JAX LNG, along with Polaris New Energy, handled the LNG refueling of the M/T Damia Desgagnés on the ship’s inaugural call to Port Canaveral. The asphalt/bitumen tanker Damia Desgagnés completed her discharge of cargo and then JAX LNG proceeded with Desgagnés’s first barge-to-ship bunkering of LNG. The seafarers safely transferred approximately 400 cubic meters of LNG from North America’s largest LNG bunker barge, the Clean Canaveral. “Our Port has been at the forefront of LNG fueling for cruise vessels for several years. This was Damia Desgagnés’s first call at our Port and her first waterside bunkering of LNG,” stated Capt. John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO. “LNG is a proven clean energy fuel option and we’re proud to support its use in the maritime industry.” The barge-to-ship fueling operation of a cargo vessel was closely coordinated between Port Canaveral, JAX LNG, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Canaveral and Canaveral Fire Rescue to ensure the LNG bunkering was properly planned, coordinated, and conducted safely and efficiently. The Port Canaveral call marks the first time Petro-Nav deployed the Damia Desgagnés to Port Canaveral and the first occasion the vessel received LNG fueling by a bunker vessel. “Our LNG-fueled fleet has expanded to five Canadian flagged tankers all operating in the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence Seaway system, Eastern Canada, and the U.S. as well as the Canadian Arctic,” said Julie Lambert, President, Petro-Nav Inc. (a subsidiary of Desgagnés). “We are proud to be leaders in energy efficient, low emission, low carbon marine transportation. We are especially excited to participate with Port Canaveral and JAX LNG in the Damia Desgagnés’s first barge-to-ship marine LNG bunkering.” GAC Bunker Fuels, the world’s only bunkering company with integrated ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications for bunker procurement, which also covers LNG as a marine fuel, traded the LNG transfer and  will continue to play a key role in promoting LNG fueling. JAX LNG has access to two Jones Act LNG bunker barges, the Clean Canaveral and Clean Jacksonville to serve multiple customers in various ports in the southeast United States. “As we celebrate one year of operation in Port Canaveral, we appreciate the cooperative relationships that have been developed to provide cruise and cargo ships increased access to LNG,” said Roger Williams, Manager of JAX LNG and VP of Commercial LNG and Gas Development at BHE GT&S, the parent company of Pivotal LNG. “We look forward to continue to work with all these stakeholders as we further increase LNG deliveries in Port Canaveral and other ports in the southeastern US.”

Seaside LNG Expands Fleet

Jacksonville-based LNG company expands fleet with purchase from local logistics company A Jacksonville-based liquified natural gas company is expanding its reach in the maritime fuel business with the acquisition of a barge used to fuel LNG ships. Seaside LNG bought the barge, which is named Clean Jacksonville, from another First Coast company, Tote Maritime Puerto Rico. Seaside LNG’s maritime transportation company, Polaris New Energy, will continue using the barge to fuel Tote’s LNG-powered container ships, and Tote Services will continue to operate the fueling barge under a long-term contract with Polaris. Tote was the first company to roll out an LNG-fueled container ship and has long worked with Seaside. In 2021, Tote fueled the first marine vessel in the U.S. with a blend of LNG and renewable LNG. Some of that fuel was provided by Jax LNG, a small-scale production facility that Seaside owns half of. “Tote Services’ experience in bringing LNG to the maritime sector is the most extensive in the industry. By working across every aspect, from vessel construction to ship management and technical expertise, we help our customers achieve their business and environmental objectives,” Tote Services President Jeff Dixon said. “We look forward to continuing to operate the Clean Jacksonville safely and reliably for years to come.” According to Seaside LNG CEO Tim Casey, roughly 60% of all new ships being built today are built to use LNG as the primary fuel source. With the acquisition of the barge, Seaside has two barges and a tug in operation, with another barge and tug being constructed — making up the largest LNG fleet in the nation. “We picked Jacksonville to be the first place to start up, and I have to give Jaxport and Florida the thanks for supporting us – because of that, we’ve been able to help make Florida a leader in LNG. I would really say Florida is at the forefront of that evolution, and we’re excited to be a part of it,” Casey said. The Jax LNG production facility, which Seaside owns with Pivotal LNG, makes about 360,000 gallons of LNG a day, the company said.