EMEA News
Ports Respond to LNG Bunkering Needs
With liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled vessels likely to become increasingly common in the coming years, the Flemish government is studying infrastructure improvements to allow for LNG bunkering at its ports.
The government, along with the port authorities of Antwerp, Zeebrugge, Ghent, and Fluxys, has published a feasibility study based on market forecasting data from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is acting on DNV recommendations to introduce the new fuel.
The study's recommendations include the development of operational bunkering procedures, processes for accreditation of LNG bunkering companies and training of personnel, and procedures for metering, measurement, fuel sampling, and quality control.
"Shipowners are working hard to meet the increasingly strict emissions requirements and ports are now responding as the popularity of LNG is becoming apparent," says Torgeir Sterri, DNV regional manager for Central Europe.
DNV said LNG is likely to become increasingly popular, particularly for short-sea shipping and in Emission Control Areas (ECAs), and a significant number of ports are likely to adopt LNG bunkering by 2020.
DNV recently helped develop a similar analysis of LNG infrastructure in Australia, while port officials in Singapore and Gothenburg have said they plan to make LNG bunkering available by 2015.
