Asia/Pacific News
Yangtze River LNG Bunkering to Get Government Support
China Ocean Shipbuilding Industry Group Ltd (COSIG) has announced it will cooperate with local Chinese government in Jiujiang City, Jiangxi province, to develop the use of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as bunkers for river vessels, IHS Maritime 360 reports.
According to the report, the "strategic cooperation framework agreement" is aimed at making the middle reaches of the Yangtze River a hub for LNG production, storage and shipping.
COSIG and the local government will raise capital for a Jiangxi Coastal Industries Development Fund which will make investments in relevant projects.
Projects focussing on ways LNG can be used in vessels plying industrial routes along the Yangtze River as well as developing a moveable LNG refuelling system are expected.
In addition, investment will be made in the LNG shipbuilding and logistical services in the area.
The first LNG upstream bunkering station opened on the Yangtze in May this year.
Bestobell Marine recently said "the use of LNG as fuel for ships is rising rapidly in China."
