Americas News
Tacoma Defends Decision on LNG Bunkering Facility
The Tacoma port authority has responded to concerns arising from its decision to allow the development a liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering facility at the US port by earmarking a specific page on its website to counter what it says is misinformation.
"Because there is so much misinformation in the community about this project, we have created a page on our website [which] provides primary-sourced information as well as links to other resources," port commissioners Clare Petrich and Don Johnson wrote in an article for local news provider the News Tribune.
In the article, the commissioners point out that LNG "emits a fraction of the pollution of the industry standard bunker fuel".
"Switching to LNG means a 90% reduction in diesel particulate matter, a known carcinogen and threat to public health," the article said.
"The facility will not affect groundwater, and, in the unlikely event of a fuel spill, LNG turns back into a vapor, which is lighter than air and quickly disperses," the article added.
Ships running on LNG bunker fuel comply with the 0.1% sulfur cap operating in emission control areas including the US seaboard.
US shipping company TOTE which has adopted LNG, will bunker at the Tacoma station. Tacoma will be used only for ship fueling and for peak shaving [when there is high demand].
The port has signed a lease with Puget Sound Energy which will develop the facility.
LNG bunker fuel is expected to form part of a multi-fuel future for the shipping and bunker industry in the light of tougher environmental regulations.
