EMEA News
DNV GL Undertakes Research Project to Support EU Adoption of LNG as Fuel
DNV GL Wednesday announced that, on behalf of the CORE LNGas hive project, which is co-funded by the European Commission (EC), the company will undertake a new study on the European Union's (EU's) liquefied natural gas (LNG) market as part of an effort to encourage the development of a network of LNG refuelling points within the region.
Coordinated by Enagas, the results of the more than €33 million ($36.79 million) project are said to be intended to provide recommendations to inform Spanish and Portuguese National Policy Frameworks on alternative fuel supply infrastructure, as well as help in the preparation of a roll-out plan for commercial deployment along the Iberian Peninsula's Mediterranean and Atlantic corridors.
"Whilst LNG has proven to be a viable option as a bunkering fuel for ships, there are still challenges to the pace of its development and demand for LNG as a fuel. One of the obstacles to the accelerated uptake is the uncertainty regarding its availability," explained DNV GL.
The six-year research project is said to be aimed at the development of a safe, efficient, and integrated logistics and supply chain for LNG in the transport industry, including small-scale LNG and bunkering, and is slated for completion by December 2020.
"DNV GL has already developed new analytical techniques for assessment, services, standards and recommended practices for the LNG sector and has supported the safe development and operation of 35 percent of the world's LNG plants," said Liv Hovem, DNV GL Regional Manager for Continental Europa and North and East Africa.
"Our experience shows that more shipowners would consider LNG as fuel if reliable information on LNG availability was easily accessible."
As Ship & Bunker has previously reported, DNV GL, in an effort to address the need for information within the industry, has already developed the LNGi portal that includes an interactive map, providing information on LNG bunkering opportunities around the world, as well as additional data and information, including existing and planned infrastructure, details on port and infrastructure projects, tank to ship bunkering options, and LNG bunker vessels.
In July, Ship & Bunker reported that DNV GL had submitted a report to the European Union (EU) that offered guidance on how to address barriers challenging the widespread adoption of LNG as marine fuel, noting that there are no longer any "major showstoppers" remaining.
