TotalEnergies Marketing Middle East has taken a 750 cbm hybrid lubricants bunkering barge on time charter from Tristar Group for ship-to-ship operations at the port of Fujairah.
The Tristar Eco Voyager, which combines electric and biofuel propulsion, entered service on 1 October. The vessel was built at Turkey’s Akdeniz shipyard and arrived in Fujairah in late July.
It will replace Lubmarine’s existing barge at the port.
The hybrid system can cut CO₂ emissions by about 35% on a 50:50 mix of electricity and biofuel compared with a barge running only on LSMGO.
Planned charging upgrades in Fujairah will allow the vessel to run mostly on electricity in the future.
“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 Group CEO Eugene Mayne said.
Thomas Vigneron, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Middle East, added: “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.”
