European Ports to Get LNG Bunker Project Funding

Liquefied natural gas for shipping by 2015 at the latest is the pledge in a collaboration between the Ports of Gothenberg and Rotterdam and private infrastructure companies spurred on by a SEK 305-million European Union grant.

"EU support is a clear indication of how important shipping is for sustainable transport throughout Europe," says Magnus Kårestedt, Port of Gothenburg Chief Executive.

The Dutch company Vopak and the Swedish gas infrastructure company Swedegas are investing in an LNG terminal in Gothenburg. The terminal will supply LNG to both shipping and industry.

The collaboration with the Port of Rotterdam, Vopak and the gas infrastructure companies Gasunie and Swedegas will involve constructing the necessary LNG infrastructure at the GATE LNG terminal in Rotterdam. This will enable the supply to the LNG terminal in Gothenburg. Other key areas of the cooperation include producing regulations for handling LNG and developing knowledge of LNG as a marine fuel.

"A major benefit of this collaboration is that we can work together and send a very clear signal to the market that LNG will be available at the largest port in Europe and the largest port in the Nordic region. The shipping companies need to be assured of this before investing in new LNG-powered vessels," says Lars Gustafsson, President of Swedegas.

There are considerable environmental benefits to be gained from using LNG in shipping and industry. Sulphur and particle emissions are reduced to almost zero, nitric oxide emissions by 85-90 per cent and carbon dioxide emissions by 25 per cent.