MOSCOW (MRC) -- Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) announced Dec. 17 that the first vessel powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has been loaded at the Enterprise Hydrocarbon Terminal on the Houston Ship Channelm according to BPN.
The Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) BW Gemini, which had been retrofitted for dual fuel capabilities, was loaded with a record 590,000 bbl of LPG, including cargo and fuel.
“Enterprise is proud to be part of this milestone achievement which benefits both the supply and demand sides of the LPG value chain, provides environmental benefits, and improves the lives of people around the world,” said A.J. (Jim) Teague, co-chief executive officer of Enterprise’s general partner. “LPG-powered vessels provide another source for growing U.S. shale production and offer enhanced efficiencies and economics for ship owners and their customers by allowing VLGCs to refuel at the loading dock instead of making an additional stop at a bunkering facility. Enterprise is already the largest exporter of propane in the world, and is helping to raise the standard of living and improve the health and quality of life for developing nations around the globe.”
By providing the option for vessels to refuel with LPG, Enterprise is also helping shipping companies reduce their emissions in accordance with the new International Maritime Organization standards (IMO 2020).
As MRC wrote before, Enterprise Products Partners LP (EPP), through one of its affiliates, has entered a long-term agreement with Marubeni Corp. of Japan, under which Marubeni will offtake polymer-grade propylene (PGP) produced from a second (PDH 2) plant currently under construction at EPP’s operations in Mont Belvieu, Tex., for supply to global customers. Concluded on June 16, the PGP offtake agreement is part of a long-term collaboration between EPP and Marubeni that also includes the export of liquefied ethylene, the first 25-million lb vessel of which loaded and sailed from EPP and Navigator Holdings Ltd.’s 50-50 joint venture marine terminal at Morgan’s Point, Tex., in early January, EPP and Marubeni said on June 30.
We remind that in July, 2020, Enterprise Products conducted maintenance at its propane dehydrogenation (PDH) unit in Mont Belvieu, Texas. This PDH unit has the capacity of 750,000 mt/y of propylene.
Propylene is the main feedstock for the production of polypropylene (PP).
According to MRC's DataScope report, PP imports into Russia increased by 21% year on year to about 202,000 tonnes in the first eleven months of 2020. Propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) accounted for the main increase in imports.
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