Rotterdam Wants New Multifuel Bunker Facility for LNG and "Other Cleaner Fuels"

The new facility is intended to be based in Dordrecht Inland Seaport. Image Credit: Port of Rotterdam

The Port of Rotterdam today said it has signed a letter of intent with PitPoint.LNG as it looks to establish a multifuel bunker station in Dordrecht Inland Seaport for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and "other cleaner fuels."

"The establishment of a multifuel bunker station fits into the Port Authority's policy to play a leading role in the European energy transition as manager of Europe's largest port. This is how we encourage the replacement of fuel oil by LNG as a fuel for shipping," said Ronald Paul, COO Port of Rotterdam.

The port was noted to be well located to serve the Amsterdam - Rotterdam - Antwerp (ARA) region as well as German shipping traffic.

Pitpoint.LNG and Rotterdam Port Authority say they are in discussion with potential customers, partners, and suppliers to better establish the demand for such cleaner fuels, including the use hydrogen, electric, biodiesel, and CNG.

"The realization of such a multifuel bunker station is part of PitPoint.LNG's strategy to develop a European LNG Tank Infrastructure. We look forward to working on this project together with the Port of Rotterdam, contributing to cleaner transport," said Jan Willem Drijver, managing director of PitPoint.LNG.

The European and North American emissions control areas (ECAs) already have a 0.10% sulfur cap on marine fuel in place, and with the global sulfur cap for marine fuel dropping to 0.50% in 2020 and a further tightening of emissions regulations expected, the demand for cleaner burning alternative marine fuels is widely expected to grow in the coming years.