TotalEnergies Marketing Middle East, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai based TotalEnergies, has time-chartered a first-of-its-kind 750-cubic-meter hybrid lubricants bunkering barge ‘Tristar Eco Voyager’ from Tristar Group. The bunkering barge will support the company’s Lubmarine division, ship-to-ship operations at the Port of Fujairah, UAE.
The Tristar Eco Voyager, featuring an innovative hybrid engine design that combines electric and biofuel power) coupled with an advanced powertrain, will significantly reduce carbon emissions compared to traditional diesel propulsion barges.
Following her construction in Turkey’s largest shipyard of Akdeniz, the Tristar Eco Voyager left Turkey on her maiden voyage in late July to her home port Fujairah where she will soon replace Lubmarine’s barge currently operating in the port.
Thanks to its hybrid propulsion system, the new barge can reduce CO₂ emissions by about 35%, if based on a 50:50 balanced use of biofuel and electricity, compared to a conventional barge operating exclusively on Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil (LSMGO).
Moreover, the port of Fujairah plans to increase the number of electric charging installations, which will enable the barge to operate almost entirely on electricity and further reduce CO2 emissions.
“We are absolutely delighted to commence operations with the new Tristar Eco Voyager and continue our long-standing partnership with Tristar,” said Louise Tricoire, Director of Lubmarine. “The barge not only expands our capacity for ship-to-ship delivery of high-quality lubricants in Fujairah, but its cutting-edge design including electric main powertrain also clearly demonstrates our leadership in advancing sustainable marine operations.”
“We at Tristar are proud to extend our decades-long relationship with TotalEnergies with a pioneering solution addressing our shared focus on a greener future. Tristar Eco Voyager’s innovative technical characteristics answer TotalEnergies’ desire for low-carbon shipping, enabling us to deliver the first vessel of its kind in the region,” expressed Tristar Group CEO Eugene Mayne.
Summing up the impact of this collaboration, Thomas Vigneron, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Middle East commented, “Collaborating with Tristar Group to launch the region’s inaugural hybrid bunkering barge not only enhances our operational capabilities but also highlights our steadfast dedication to fostering positive change in the UAE through the adoption of innovative and sustainable solutions for our customers.”
