RF Transport Ministry considers providing port dues discount for LNG-powered ships
The Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has started developing measures to encourage using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as environmentally friendly fuel, Victor Olersky, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation – head of the Federal Marine and River Transport Agency (Rosmorrechflot), said at the 2nd LNG Fleet and LNG Bunkering in Russia conference (Moscow, 25 October 2018) organized by IAA PortNews and Krylov State research Center.
According to Victor Olersky, the Ministry can take into consideration the practice of European countries where the discount offered makes 10%, or more, of the port dues.
Victor Olersky says state support is necessary as average construction cost of an LNG-powered ship is 30% higher as compared with conventional vessels.
The Deputy Minister of Transport believes that LNG can be also used to power vessels of mixed river/sea class. They can use LNG bunkering infrastructure intended for sea going ships. By 2020, LNG production and bunkering projects are to be put into operation in Vysotsk and Kaliningrad.
