Shell collaborates with dutch supermarket chain to increase the use of LNG fuel for trucks

Shell today announced the opening of its fourth Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) truck refuelling station in the Netherlands. This new station is located in Pijnacker, on the premises of Albert Heijn, one of the largest Dutch supermarket chains. This LNG refuelling station is being used by delivery trucks that supply products to Albert Heijn. The station is a result of the close collaboration between Shell and Albert Heijn to increase the use of LNG fuel by heavy-duty road customers operating in residential areas.

Trucks with LNG fuelled spark-ignited engines produce less noise in comparison to combustion engines running on diesel. Hence, when noise restrictions apply, LNG-fuelled trucks can be allowed to operate longer, for example delivering to supermarkets in residential areas. LNG is also cleaner than diesel in terms of sulphur, particulates and nitrogen oxides, and can help reduce well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions.

“LNG can be a good choice for truck owners and more are making the switch to LNG,” said Lauran Wetemans, Shell’s General Manager Downstream LNG. “It is great to see Albert Heijn’s drive for cleaner fuel options and work with transport companies to encourage the use of LNG. Shell is expanding the network of LNG refuelling sites that offer a single card solution to customers. As the market develops, we will continue to invest in LNG for transport infrastructure development.”

Cees van Vliet, Albert Heijn’s Director Shops & Distribution, noted, “Albert Heijn is excited to be working with Shell on establishing LNG as a fuel for heavy duty road transport in the Netherlands. Our strategy is to reduce the hindrance of our operations to people living next to our supermarkets, where noise level is a very important factor. With LNG trucks, we can also deliver our goods at night when there is less traffic, improving road safety around our shops.”

The new station in Pijnacker has a capacity of 70,000 litres of LNG, enough to fuel 200 trucks per day. The station has already refuelled over 650 Albert Heijn delivery trucks to date. Customers that supply products to Albert Heijn can use the euroShell card for their fuel transactions, which offers a secure and efficient way to buy fuels and access a range of services, providing convenience in day to day operations.

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Notes to Editors
• From 1st of October 2015, Shell has access to import and storage capacity in the Gas Access to Europe Terminal (Gate), enabling the company to supply its own LNG to marine and road customers in northwest Europe. Shell will supply the LNG fuel for its truck refuelling network in the Netherlands from here. This position supports Shell’s commitment as the launching customer of the new, dedicated ‘break bulk’ LNG terminal being built at the port of Rotterdam by Gate. To serve marine customers in the port of Rotterdam, Shell plans to build a specialised LNG bunker vessel to deliver to LNG-fuelled vessels in northwest Europe.
• LNG forming a bigger part of the sustainable transport fuel mix consistent with the EU Clean Power for Transport directive, recent Dutch government fuel vision report and the Social-Economic Council vision pathway report to a sustainable fuel mix in the Netherlands.