EMEA News
EU Investing in LNG Bunkering at Gothenburg
The European Union (EU) is providing SEK 305 million ($46.3 million) to help the Port of Gothenburg establish liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering facilities by 2015, the port said in a press release.
"EU support is a clear indication of how important shipping is for sustainable transport throughout Europe," says Magnus Kårestedt, the port's chief executive.
The plan, which is expected to be finalised in the coming months, would involve collaboration among private infrastructure companies, the Port of Gothenburg, and the Port of Rotterdam.
The Port of Gothenburg said a project to bring LNG terminals there and to Rotterdam is likely to be one of the "most prioritized" projects ever under the EU's Motorways of the Seas program.
The port announced in October that it expected the terminal, a collaboration involving Dutch oil and chemical storage company Vopak and gas infrastructure companies Gusunie and Swedegas, would be complete in time for the start of new emissions rules in 2015.
"A major benefit of this collaboration is that we can work together and send a very clear signal to the market that LNG will be available at the largest port in Europe and the largest port in the Nordic region," said Lars Gustafsson, president of Swedegas.
"The shipping companies need to be assured of this before investing in new LNG-powered vessels."
