MUSCAT: A mega crude carrier with dual-fuel propulsion systems, among other unique capabilities, called at the Mina Al Fahal Crude Oil Export terminal off Muscat recently in the first such visit of its kind to the Sultanate of Oman, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO) has revealed.

In a post, the majority state-owned energy company described the Eagle Vallery as a massive crude carrier (a Very Large Crude Carrier) built in 2022. It is also “one of the world’s first dual-fuel ships with built-in volatile organic compounds (VOCs) mitigation technology,” said PDO, adding: “With one of the smallest carbon footprints among crude-carrying vessels, the ship represents a major step towards sustainable shipping practices.”

Built by Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries last April, the 300,000-dwt capacity crude oil tanker was delivered to AET, a Singapore-headquartered global energy logistics solutions provider.

The roughly 330-metre long, Malaysian-flagged vessel is currently on long-term charter to TotalEnergies, along with sister ship Eagle Valence, which is similarly LNG powered as part of its dual fuel propulsion capabilities.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the principal fuel source powering dual-fuel ships, enabling ship-owners and charterers to dramatically cut planet-warming carbon emissions typically associated with bunker fuel based fuel.

AET’s Eagle Valence and Eagle Vallery are among the first dual-fuel LNG powered ships to have been operationalized last year.