Shell and its affiliates have signed a memorandum of understanding with TravelCenters of America (TA) to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to heavy-duty road transport customers in the US through TA’s existing nationwide network of full-service fueling centers.
Demand for innovative fuels, like LNG fuel, from heavy-duty road transport customers is growing due, in part, to the wide range of benefits for trucking fleet operators. These benefits can include lower fuel costs and improved local air quality from reduced emissions at the point of use, particularly nitrogen oxide as well as reduced noise levels.
“Shell sees great potential for LNG as a fuel option among our range of quality fuels, due to the sheer abundance and affordability of domestic natural gas in North America. Where it makes sense and where there is customer demand, we will innovate to deliver LNG as an additional fuel offer to our customers across America,” concluded Phillips.
The agreement with TA, the largest full-service truck stop chain in the US, represents the next phase for Shell in its plan to provide trucking fleet customers in North America with a robust fueling infrastructure. Last year, Shell announced it would sell LNG to its heavy-duty fleet customers at select Flying J truck stops in Alberta, Canada beginning in 2012. The first LNG retail plaza in Calgary is expected to open this year. Both these announcements help demonstrate how Shell is moving forward in its strategy to develop a global downstream LNG fuel sales business for commercial customers in the truck sector but also other growth areas notably marine, mining and rail.
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LNG World News Staff, June 7, 2012