What Crew Members Say About Merchant

In a bold move to protest against fossil fuel reliance, Greenpeace activists have obstructed the passage of the LNG tanker 'Merchant', which is carrying 138,000 cubic meters of liquefied natural gas, into the port of Sagunto, Valencia. The demonstration highlights the growing concerns over Spain's dependence on fossil gas. Activists entered the port and anchored near the Enagás regasification facility, effectively blocking the vessel that originated from Port Arthur. They publicly displayed their stance by painting the message "NO + GAS" on one side of the tanker. Additionally, one climber ascended the ship's anchor as a form of passive resistance to further emphasize their call for action against fossil fuels. For more details, visit the full report with photos: https://www.efe.com/efe/espana/sociedad/activistas-de-greenpeace-bloquean-en-sagunto-un-barco-cargado-gas-licuado/10004-4660786.

In a historic milestone, the BP-owned LNG tanker, British Merchant, transited the newly expanded Panama Canal on July 26, marking its position as the second laden liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessel to navigate this significant waterway post-expansion. Loaded at Trinidad, the British Merchant is cruising towards the west coast of Mexico with a cargo capacity of 138,000 m³, comfortably accommodating the canal’s upgrades. The vessel follows the Shell-chartered LNG carrier, Maran Gas Apollonia, which successfully sailed through the canal a day earlier on July 25. The Maran Gas Apollonia, measuring 289 meters long and 45 meters wide, had previously loaded at Cheniere’s Sabine Pass LNG Terminal located on the U.S. Gulf Coast and is currently en route to the Gulei port in Fujian province, southern China. Panama Canal Administrator and CEO, Jorge L. Quijano, hailed the inaugural LNG transit through the new locks as a pivotal achievement, highlighting the potential of the expansion to enhance LNG trade significantly. Quijano stated, 'This transit marks the beginning of a new era that will result in cleaner and lower cost energy for the world.' Furthermore, the anticipation builds as a third LNG tanker is expected to make its passage through the canal in August, underscoring the growing relevance of this route in global energy logistics.