Singapore, Antwerp, Zeebrugge Join Force for LNG Bunkering

by Ship & Bunker News Team
Thursday November 14, 2013

Singapore and Belgian port authorities will work together on research, regulations, and other frameworks for liquefied natural gas (LNG) bunkering, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced Wednesday.

The MPA signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Antwerp Port Authority and Port of Zeebrugge.

"Given the global nature of shipping, we are very happy to be able to work with the Antwerp Port Authority and the Port of Zeebrugge to harmonise our procedures for LNG bunkering," said MPA Chief Executive Lam Yi Young.

"Such co-operation will help facilitate the development of global standards for LNG bunkering, which is needed to enable the use of LNG as ship fuel."

In addition to developing procedures and collaborating on research and development, the ports will share information relating to regulations, infrastructure, accreditation of bunkering operations, and stakeholder communication.

"The Port of Antwerp wishes to encourage as well as facilitate the use of LNG as a shipping fuel," said Eddy Bruyninckx, CEO of the Antwerp Port Authority.

"That is why we have been working on developing bunkering procedures for quite some time and recently also took the first steps towards the development of an LNG bunkering ship.

"A partnership with an international maritime player like Singapore will allow us to take our knowledge and know-how in this field to a higher level."

The MPA recently completed a study on standards and procedures for LNG bunkering, while the Port of Antwerp is using European Union (EU) funding to build a bunkering station.