First LNG bunkering takes place at port of Antwerpen
Port of Antwerp has announced that the first liquified natural gas (LNG) bunkering operation at a Belgian port has taken place, Ship & Bunker reports.
The Port said that on Wednesday last week the LNG powered barge Argonon operated by Deen Shipping was bunkered by an LNG truck.
"This represents a further significant step towards more environment-friendly shipping in the port of Antwerp," the port said.
"Antwerp Port Authority continues to lend support to those seeking to switch to this more environment-friendly fuel, and so to make the logistics chain yet more sustainable."
The port also said that it not only wants to facilitate but also to encourage the use of LNG as a fuel for ships and barges, and although it would require significant effort it intends to make LNG available in the port "in the same way as conventional fuels are" by 2015.
"With the introduction of maximum levels for the sulphur content of bunker fuel and stricter standards for emissions by seagoing ships as well as barges, the use of LNG as an alternative to gasoil has been under consideration for some time now. However, such a step demands large efforts not only by ship owners but also by the port, as the necessary facilities have to be provided," it said.
In October the Flemish government said it was studying infrastructure improvements to allow for LNG bunkering at its ports.
