Mammoet Netherlands switches to cleaner fuel
11 February 2016
Mammoet, the world’s largest provider of engineered heavy lifting and transport services, said it will be the first company in the industry to use cleaner-burning Shell gas-to-liquids (GTL) fuel to power its cranes and trucks in the Netherlands.
The fuel switch is expected to reduce emissions and improve local air quality as well as lowering noise levels compared with conventional diesel.
Sander Splinter, Mammoet Europe managing director, said, “Many of our clients are conscious of the need for environmental improvement and we think that choosing Shell GTL fuel will help us to make a contribution by giving them a competitive edge.”
Marjan van Loon, Shell Netherlands president director, added, “The roll-out of Shell GTL fuel underscores our ambition to be the most competitive and innovative energy company. We are proud it will now also be used in the heavy-lifting sector and contribute to Mammoet’s plans to reduce emissions. As the market develops, we will continue to invest in GTL infrastructure for customers demanding a fuel that can help reduce local emissions in conventional diesel vehicles.”
Mammoet has already started introducing the fuel in its heavy lifting and transport equipment. Shell GTL fuel will be available at three Mammoet locations: Schiedam, Velsen-Noord and Geleen. Mammoet operates 200 cranes and 50 trucks in the Netherlands.
Shell GTL fuel is a liquid fuel made from natural gas that can be used in existing diesel engines without modification. The fuel characteristics are broadly similar to diesel produced from crude oil; however it contains lower levels of aromatics, poly-aromatics, olefins, sulphur and nitrogen than conventional diesel.
Shell GTL fuel is claimed to be able to reduce local emissions by 24 % for particulate matter and 15 % for nitrogen oxide in comparison with diesel.