According to a recent study from the Danish Maritime Authority, the current use of natural gas within the SECA-zone is expected to increase by 140% by 2020 due to the use of LNG as a shipping fuel and usage on land by trucks and buses. LNG offers substantial environmental benefits in comparison to conventional fuels. Sulphur and particle emissions would be reduced to almost zero, nitrogen oxide emissions by 85-90% and net greenhouse gases by 15-20%.
Focusing on the use of LNG as a marine fuel, an “LNG Fuelled Vessels Working Group” has been established under the auspices of the International Association of Ports and Harbours (IAPH) World Ports Climate Initiative (WPCI). The Working Group is tasked to develop guidelines on safe procedures for LNG bunkering operations providing ports around the world with an implementation guideline if they wish to pursue this technology.
Who is involved?
The Port of Antwerp is chairing this initiative and representatives from the ports of Amsterdam, Bremen/Bremerhaven, Gothenburg, Hamburg, Le Havre, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Rotterdam, Stockholm and Zeebrugge are also active participants in the Working Group. The Working Group maintains close contacts with industry stakeholders currently using and/or handling LNG, as well as government agencies.
Participation in the Working Group is open to all ports, whether as active participant or as member of the reference group. To obtain immediate feedback and to validate the outcomes, industry partners are invited to be part of the reference group. Industry experts are also invited to be active contributors and share their expertise in the sub-Working Group “LNG-bunkering checklist”.
Ports and industry stakeholders interested in participating in the Working Group should contact Tessa Major, Chair of the WPCI LNG Working Group. E-mail: tessa.major@portofantwerp.com
