EMEA News
Rotterdam Changes LNG Bunkering Rules
Seagoing ships can now legally refuel with liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a bunkering ship at Rotterdam, after a change to the port's bylaws, the Port of Rotterdam Authority said in a statement.
Previously, ship-to-ship LNG bunkering was only permitted for inland shipping in the Seinehaven, where facilities were opened last year to allow bunkering from an LNG tanker.
The port authority had pushed for the legal change to allow the transfer of the fuel from bunkering vessels.
"That was a major condition of the general introduction of LNG," said Harbour Master René de Vries.
"In the ten hours they stay in the port of Rotterdam, container ships should be able to bunker at the same time as they transfer cargo.
"This is only possible, if it happens ship-to-ship."
The new rules call for LNG to be bunkered only at designated locations, in line with safety studies and industry best practices.
The owners of Rotterdam's Gate liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal said last year that interest in bunkering the fuel there was strong.
